Branded a ‘Witch’, hunted by mob: Man dies shielding wife in Gujarat's Sabarkantha

PALANPUR: A chilling case showing how superstition and crowd psychology can devastate isolated families has emerged from a small village in Sabarkantha district, where a man was beaten to death while trying to protect his family from a mob that branded his wife a "witch". His two sons were also injured while resisting the witch-hunt.

The killing occurred in Gadivankada village of Vijaynagar taluka, where Manu Ramji Damor and his family had for some time faced harassment from villagers who accused his wife of 'being a witch'.

On the day of the attack, the harassment had grown into violence. Police said a group of villagers targeted Manu's wife, forcing their way into the family's space.

As the mob closed in, Manu stepped forward to shield her. His two sons also moved to protect their parents and the crowd turned into a violent mob.

The attackers turned on Manu, assaulting him with sharp weapons. His sons were also injured as they tried to fend off the assailants, outnumbered and overwhelmed.

All three were later rushed to hospital for emergency treatment. Manu succumbed to the wounds he sustained while defending his family.

Chitoda police registered a case of rioting with murder and began an investigation. Acting swiftly, police arrested 12 people within an hour with the help of the Local Crime Branch.

Kuldeep Nayi, deputy superintendent of police, Khedbrahma division, said four of the accused arrested were women.

Those arrested are Valji Saluji Damor, Jignesh Valji Damor, Rohit Roy, Jiwaji Saluji Damor, Nagji Saluji Damor, Hiraji Saluji Damor, Vijay Hiraji Damor, Kanti Saluji Damor, Sangeeta Nagji Damor, Aruna Valji Damor, Sharda Kanti Damor and Sita Hiraji Damor.