On 25 April 2021, a serious incident of suspected witch-hunting was reported at No. 1 Geruajuli area of Rangapara, Sonitpur district, Assam, involving the killing of Ms Laksheswari Daimary, a 53-year-old tribal widow. The incident reportedly occurred on the night of 24 April 2021, when a group of assailants allegedly barged into her residence and beat her to death. Subsequently, they carried her body to a forest situated approximately one kilometre away from her residence and buried it. Ms Daimary was a mother of four children. Her grandson, Mohit Daimary, was also allegedly tortured by the assailants and was found by villagers on 25 April 2021, tied by his hands and legs.
The incident raised serious concerns regarding the practice of witch-hunting and the protection of vulnerable persons in Assam. The identification or branding of any person as a witch is prohibited under the Assam Witch Hunting (Prohibition, Prevention and Protection) Act, 2015, which provides for legal action against perpetrators, as well as compensation and rehabilitation for affected victims and their families.