A 19-year-old woman has been arrested for allegedly beheading her mother and injuring two other family members in a disturbing incident reported from Lalung Gaon in the Deramukh area of West Karbi Anglong district on the night of April 23. Police identified the accused as Puja Malang and the victim as 42-year-old Anumai Malang.
Officials said the accused allegedly attacked her mother with a dao a machete-like weapon while she was asleep and later injured her father, Premendra Malang, and sister when they attempted to intervene.
The accused reportedly fled the house carrying the severed head and hid in a nearby bamboo grove before police traced and arrested her early on April 24. Authorities have recovered the suspected murder weapon along with several other items from the scene. Police say the motive remains unclear and an investigation is ongoing.
Gruesome Night Attack Shocks Village
According to police sources, the incident unfolded late on Wednesday night inside the family’s home in Deramukh Lalung village. Investigators say Puja Malang allegedly returned home around 10 pm and entered the house carrying a sharp dao, a commonly used machete-like tool in the region.
She reportedly attacked her mother, Anumai Malang, who was asleep at the time. The assault was so severe that the victim was allegedly beheaded during the attack.
Hearing the disturbance, the victim’s husband, Premendra Malang, and the couple’s younger daughter rushed to intervene and tried to stop the assault. However, they were also attacked with the weapon and sustained injuries during the confrontation. Both were later taken for medical treatment, though officials have not publicly detailed the extent of their injuries.
Police said the accused fled the house immediately after the attack, allegedly carrying the severed head with her. Local residents who became aware of the shocking incident alerted authorities, prompting police from the Baithalangso police station to rush to the scene.
“We recovered the severed head and the murder weapon from her possession,” said Diganta Saikia, officer-in-charge of the police station, confirming that the accused was arrested during a search operation the following morning.
Search Operation Leads To Arrest
Following the incident, police launched a night-long search operation in the surrounding areas after receiving information that the accused had fled into nearby vegetation behind the house. However, she could not be located immediately. In the early hours of April 24, officers traced her to a bamboo grove or forested patch close to the residence and apprehended her without resistance.
During the operation, investigators recovered several objects believed to be linked to the crime, including the dao suspected to have been used in the attack, a sickle, scissors and other items from the location where the accused was hiding. Officials also recovered certain objects described as ritualistic including oil, vermilion and an earthen pot though authorities have not confirmed whether these items are directly connected to the motive behind the killing.
The victim’s body has been sent for a post-mortem examination, while the recovered weapons are expected to undergo forensic analysis as part of the investigation. Police have registered a case under relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, including charges related to murder and causing grievous hurt using dangerous weapons.
Officials say investigators are still trying to determine the circumstances that led to the incident. According to preliminary statements gathered from the family and neighbours, there had been no known history of major disputes between the mother and daughter prior to the attack. This lack of an apparent trigger has made the case particularly puzzling for investigators.
Some local residents have speculated about possible reasons, including rumours of involvement in superstition or substance influence. However, police have emphasised that such claims remain unverified and that the investigation will rely on evidence and formal questioning to establish the facts.
The Logical Indian’s Perspective
Incidents of extreme violence within families are deeply unsettling and often reveal layers of social, psychological and emotional distress that may remain invisible until tragedy strikes. While the law must take its course and the investigation must proceed with fairness and sensitivity, such cases also highlight the importance of recognising warning signs within families and communities.
Mental health challenges, unresolved conflicts and social isolation can sometimes escalate into devastating outcomes when support systems are weak or absent. Strengthening community awareness, encouraging open conversations about emotional well-being and ensuring access to mental health support could play a crucial role in preventing similar tragedies in the future.
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