Business came to a standstill for over five hours in Nkhotakota on Sunday as irate villagers blocked the lakeshore M5 Road at Chia Bridge in the district, demanding the release of a witchdoctor who was arrested by police over witchcraft allegations.
Officers trying to birng back peace at Chia
Police had to be called in and fired teargas to quell the situation before clearing the road.
Nkhotakota Police Public Relations Officer, Sergeant Paul Malimwe confirmed of the incident, saying the law enforcers had arrested four men for inciting violence.
Malimwe said the four had been arrested on the night of Sunday on allegation that they incited the people of Chia to gang up against police following the arrest of a witchdoctor allegedly hired by the community members to carryout witchcraft exorcism.