Old woman killed for alleged shaman

PAMEKASAN, East Java: Eight unknown men in Ninja cloths have killed 60-year-old Surimti who they alleged to have practiced black magic (santet) in Blaban village, Batumarmar district, Pamekasan regency, East Java.

Pamekasan Police Chief Supt. Syahrul Mamma confirmed the murder on Tuesday and said that the police were trying to identify the eight suspects.

"We continue to track down the suspects and their motives. The murder was likely aimed at terrorizing the local residents. Therefore, we hope that residents will stay cool," Syahrul said as quoted by Antara.

A source at the murder site said the incident took place at about 2:30 a.m. Tuesday as Surimti was preparing for sahur (pre- dawn meal) in her kitchen, while her husband M. Berri, 65, was still at mosque.

The source said, the eight men initially greeted Surimti, but before the victim responded, the eight men suddenly attacked the victim's neck and right thigh with sickles without resistance, leaving the victim's neck nearly cut. (01)