India villagers behead woman for 'witchcraft

An elderly Indian woman accused of practising witchcraft has been stripped naked and beheaded by villagers in the state of Assam. 

The 63-year-old, Purni Orang is blamed for illness in the tribal settlement. Seven people, including two women, have been arrested over her killing. 

Police in Assam say nearly 90 people, mostly women, have been beheaded, burnt alive or stabbed to death over such accusations over the last six years. 

Experts say superstitious beliefs are behind some of these attacks, but there are occasions when people especially widows are targeted for their land and property.

BBC