witch-hunting
Representative image

One person died and eight others of a group were injured after they were brutally attacked by a mob in Meghalaya recently over allegation of practicing witchcraft.

As per reports, the group had gone for a picnic to Syntung in East Khasi Hills district on Sunday.

However, when they were returning from the picnic spot and were on their way to Shillong, they were stopped by a mob at Pashang.

The mob attacked the nine picnickers with sticks, iron rods and stones.

A total of 27 people were arrested by the police on Monday night in connection with the incident at Pashang.

According to the police, the picnickers were attacked by the mob on the suspicion of practicing witchcraft.

Among the nine picknickers, one 25-year-old man was declared dead on being brought to Shillong Civil Hospital and two of them were seriously injured during the attack.

Six members of the group had managed to escape to a nearby jungle with minor injuries, from where they were rescued by police on Monday.