JORHAT, Aug 6 - Close on the heels of police rescuing two women from a tea garden in Mariani in the district, who were branded as diani (witch), a woman in a village on the western outskirts here died reportedly after being physically tortured by a bez (quack), while she was treated for some ailment by him.
A police source stated that Jyotirupa Dutta (40), a housewife, who was a resident of Bonaigaon under Teok Police Station in the district, was allegedly severely beaten with a stick by Robin Tamuly, a quack at his residence at Rajakhat Jyotinagar under Pulibor Station, for nearly three days in the name of curing her ailment.
On Monday late afternoon, Jyotirupa died due to the alleged continuous physical assault on her following which local people made a hue and cry and informed the police, the source said. Sensing trouble, Tamuly fled from his residence as police arrived and prevented the crowd from turning violent.
Pulibor Police Station Officer-In-Charge Mintu Handique told this newspaper today that police after coming to know about the incident, started an investigation and wanted to question Tamuly, but he was not found at his house with police efforts on to find him.
Handique said that he has asked the family members if the deceased to lodge an FIR at the police station against Tamuly, but so far they have not done so.
The Officer-In-Charge added that police will on its own lodge an FIR suo motu if the family members do not lodge a formal complaint and initiate action against the quack and any other person found to be involved in the incident.
Handique urged people not to get involved in practising superstitious beliefs and go to quacks for seeking cure for medical ailments as anybody found to be involved in such acts could be booked under the law.
