Victim Haliya Khatun said local villagers Ali Husen and his son Umar thrashed him, his son Mohammad Parwage and brother-in-law Mohammad Judin after accusing his wife of being a ‘witch’.

“Ali and Umar thrashed us saying that my mother is not a human,” said Parwage. Haliya and Parwage are being treated in a local health institution, while Judin returned home after treatment in Dharan-based BP Koirala Institute of Health Sciences. Judin has nine stitches in his head. The incident occurred a week ago.

Although Haliya had lodged a complaint against Ali and Umar in the Area Police Office, Kanchanpur shortly after the incident, police are yet to arrest the guilty.

The victims accused police of being apathetic towards taking action against the guilty.

“The three dissapear during the day but return home at night,” victims said.