By Bhupen Goswami

Guwahati : The self-styled godman (tantric), Ramesh Saharia has been arrested by Darrang Police from Kuruwa for his alleged involvement in the sensational incident at Kalaigaon on July 6.  He was taken into custody by the Sipajhar police. It is to be mentioned that a sensational incident happened at Ganakpara village under Kalaigaon Police Station in Udalguri district of Assam on Saturday in which Jadab Saharia, a science teacher and his family became victims of superstition. Jadab allegedly tried to destroy everything belonging to the family after getting influenced by a self-styled godman (tantric) called Ramesh Saharia. It was alleged by the locals that the godman has been performing puja rituals at Jadab’s house for the last three years. From the last few days, the family had been performing some rituals at their own temple in presence of Ramesh Saharia and yesterday was the last day of the puja. Altogether, eight members were present in the ritual who were fully naked, in a scene straight of the Hollywood horror movie ‘Hereditary’.

The godman Ramesh reportedly hails from Baneikuchi village in Darrang district of Assam. The family set ablaze a newly brought Royal Enfield bike and vandalized a Wagon R car. Even the household goods were vandalized. The locals tried to intervene, but Ramesh threatened to attack them with an axe. In the conflict, many locals, as well as journalists who were covering the incident, were injured. The helpless locals called the police and CRPF and after five hours of trial, the team nabbed all members of the family. During the time of arrest, the situation turned volatile and the police had to open fire on them. In the firing, three persons got shot including Jadab and his son Pulakesh Saharia. All were rushed to the Gauhati Medical College and Hospital; however, Pulakesh later succumbed to his injuries. It was known that he was an MBA student, studying in Bangalore.

As per the information received, a few years back, Jadab’s daughter committed suicide after being allegedly raped and Jadab along with his family were undergoing the rituals to seek justice for his deceased daughter and her rebirth.According to reports, the family of Jadab Saharia, a science teacher at a government high school, was conducting rituals at his residence in Kalsipar since Saturday morning, allegedly in preparation of the human sacrifice. “We got information around 12 pm. When we reached, we found that eight people, three women, four men and a child were conducting some rituals inside a temple,” said Nirmal Ghosh, sub-divisional police officer Bhergaon. The police tried to stop them but the family members turned violent and started attacking neighbours, the police team and journalists who had gathered at the spot with stones. “We fired in the air to bring the situation under control. But when that failed, we fired at their legs. Three persons including Saharia, his son and a relative were injured. They have been admitted to Guwahati Medical College Hospital,” said Ghosh. Eyewitnesses said that the rituals went on for nearly five hours and the family was reportedly preparing to sacrifice the child, who was a relative. The parents of the child were part of the rituals. The family also tried to burn down their house, set a motorcycle on fire and damaged their own car. “As of now we haven’t arrested the family members. They are in custody and being interrogated,” said Ghosh.