A woman was brutally assaulted after being tied to a pole on suspicion of practising witchcraft at the Mukalmua weekly market in Nalbari district.
Police identified the victim as Suburi Begum, a resident of Khopnikuchi in Hajo. According to officials, she is mentally unstable and survives by begging for food at local markets. She was allegedly attacked by a group of people who accused her of being involved in witchcraft.
Investigators said the accused tied Begum to a pole at the market and assaulted her with sticks while repeatedly kicking and punching her. The attack left her with severe injuries across her body.
A police team later rescued the woman and rushed her to Mukalmua Sub-Divisional Civil Hospital for treatment. As her condition deteriorated, doctors referred her to Nalbari Medical College and Hospital for advanced care. Hospital sources said she remains in critical condition and is battling for her life.
The incident took place at the Mukalmua weekly market under the Barkhetri subdivision.
Police from Mukalmua Police Station have detained six persons in connection with the assault. The detainees have been identified as Sahjahan Ali, Malek Dewan, Shahidul Islam, Mukuta Rahman, Mariam Bibi and Maidul Haque.
A case has been registered at Mukalmua Police Station (Case No. 32/26) under Sections 189(2), 117(4), 118(2), 76 and 109(1) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita.
The investigation is being led by Sub-Inspector Anirban Rahang, and further interrogation of the detained persons is underway to determine more details surrounding the incident.