1 killed 8 injured in Meghalaya over witchcraft allegation

    Shillong, Mar 10 (PTI) A 25-year-old man died after
he and his friends were attacked by a mob on the suspicion of
practising witchcraft in Meghalaya's East Khasi Hills
district, police said on Tuesday.
    Eight people suffered injuries in the assault.
    A total of 27 people, including two minors, were
arrested on Monday night in connection with the incident at
Pashang village, when the nine picnickers were attacked with
sticks, iron rods and stones while they were returning to
Shillong in a vehicle, police said.
    Rumours were doing the rounds that a group of cult
worshippers was moving around in the area in a car, they said.
    "The group had gone to Syntung for picnic and on their
way back to Shillong on Sunday night, they were waylaid by the
mob near Pashang area and assaulted," Assistant Inspector
General of Police Gabriel Iangrai said.
    One person, hailing from Madanrting area, was declared
brought-dead at Shillong Civil Hospital, he said, adding, two
others were seriously injured.
    Six members of the group had managed to escape to a
nearby jungle with minor injuries, from where they were
rescued by police on Monday. PTI JOP MM NN
RBT RBT

(This story has not been edited by THE WEEK and is auto-generated from PTI)