RAYAGADA: Killings over suspected sorcery continue in the tribal-dominated district despite several campaigns to create awareness among the people against the superstitious belief. A 55-year-old man of Panashapadara village under Tikiri police limits was stoned to death by his nephews on June 13 who suspected him of practising sorcery. The incident came to light on Wednesday after the victim’s wife filed an FIR at Tikiri police station.
As per reports, the wives of the accused used to fall sick at regular intervals which prompted them to suspect that Bharat Kumbhara was practising sorcery. On June 13, accused Mangulu and Attara, caned Bharat in front of his house over the issue and when he became unconscious, they left the place. Later, when Bharat tried to flee from the village to save his life, the duo chased him and stoned him to death. The accused also dragged the body to an isolated place on the outskirts of the village and buried it, said SDPO Raj Kishore Dash.
After his wife Naga failed to trace Bharat for a week, she filed the FIR at Tikiri police station on Wednesday. Police, along with a scientific team led by the SDPO, rushed to the village on Thursday and recovered Bharat’s body. Registering a case of murder, Tikiri police arrested Mangulu and Attara from the village and forwarded them to court.
In April, the Additional District Judge of Gunupur had handed out death sentence to nine persons in connection with brutal murder of three persons of one family in Kitum village. The convicts had branded them as sorcerers and held them responsible for the deaths of children in their village. Later, they were dragged out of their house and mercilessly beaten to death on September 9, 2016.
