The villagers of Gidhhabelapatti VDC-8 have beaten up local Indu Devi Mandal, 35, on the charge of being a witch. They also beat up her children in the incident that occurred on September 23. Indu Devi said that her neighbours held her and her 'witchery' responsible for the death of Umesh Mandal, 18, son of her neighbour who committed suicide last month by consuming poison after some family dispute. She identified her attackers as Ram Bhajan Mandal, the family of the deceased youth, Ram Rasiya Mandal, Sanjiv Mandal, Shailendra Mandal, Sunil Mandal and Chhediya Mandal. She said that the men forced into her home, tied her brother-in-law and then beat up her along with her daughter Jitu Mandal and sons Avinav and Avishesh. Indu Devi filed a complaint at District Police Office on September 24. SI Rajesh Singh of Aurahi Area Police Office said that when they reached the village after getting the report, the alleged perpetrators had fled the place. He added that the victims had been taken to Janakpur Zonal Hospital and that police were searching for the absconding accused.