Woman Suspected as a Witch Slain in India
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CALCUTTA — A woman suspected of being a witch was dragged from her hut, tied to a tree and then axed to death by her neighbors in an eastern Indian village, police said Tuesday.
Sonamoni Kisku was killed Sunday by Ganesh Soren and his brother, Meghraj, in Goaljoi, about 155 miles northwest of Calcutta, police said. Ganesh Soren believed Kisku had cast an evil spell on his 6-year-old daughter, who had been ill since January, they said.
State Chief Minister Jyoti Basu said at least 20 women were killed in West Bengal in 1987 on suspicion of practicing witchcraft.
The Santhal tribes believe that many women, especially widows, have the power to heal the sick.
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