Siraha, January 4

Police arrested a woman and her daughter for their involvement in thrashing another woman accusing her of practising witchcraft at Lahan Municipality in Siraha yesterday.

The arrested have been identified as Iner Devi Das, 35, and her daughter Nilam, 18, of the municipality. The duo had beaten Rita Devi Das, 38, of the same municipality indiscriminately accusing her of practicing witchcraft on December 30.

A critically injured Rita Devi is receiving treatment in a Lahan-based health facility, said police. The victim Rita Devi said she had been assaulted by the mother and daughter in the past as well.

Unable to endure the torture, the victim said she had even complained to the police. “I reached out to the police seeking refuge against my neighbours’ torture and their baseless allegations,” she added.

Meanwhile, DSP Ganesh Chandra Thakuri of Area Police Office, Lahan, said police investigation into the incident was on and locals were also pressing the police to settle the dispute.

Police said action would be taken against the culprit after the probe.