Medicine woman accused of murder

MEDAN, North Sumatra: Police have arrested a sorceress alleged of killing her sister and keeping her body for practicing witchcraft, Antara reported yesterday.

The news agency said Deli Tua-Medan subprecinct police arrested Charan, 30, in her residence on Jl. Karya Gedung Johor Medan after neighbors reported that the woman screamed every night and that a bad smell emanated from her house.

In the house of the woman of Indian descent, who was known locally as a sorceress, police found the dead body of her sister Ranjid, 19. Two other teenage girls, supposedly the woman's patients, were found in critical condition. There was no explanation as to what they were being treated for.

North Sumatra Police spokesman Lt. Col. Amrin Karim said Ranjid's body had been sent to Pirngadi hospital, while the two teenage girls are being treated at the same hospital. (aan)