Odisha shocker! Admin intervenes after 2 youths 'cremated' while being alive for witnessing crow mating

In a shocking incident reflecting deep-rooted superstitions, two brothers from Patraguda village under Jeypore Block in Koraput district were symbolically cremated while still alive, after being declared 'dead' by their family upon witnessing a rare sight — two crows mating.

According to tribal beliefs prevalent in parts of Koraput, witnessing crow mating is considered a bad omen that foretells death. Following this superstition, the family members of the two young men declared them 'dead' soon after the incident. 

As part of the ritual, effigies representing the two were paraded as if they were dead bodies and were cremated with full post-death rites — a disturbing visual that later went viral on social media.

Must Read: Superstition shocks Odisha again! Youths declared dead for seeing crows mate, mock funerals held

Responding sensitively to the event, the Jeypore block administration swiftly intervened. Under the leadership of Child Development Project Officer (CDPO) Kanchan Panda, a team including supervisors and Anganwadi workers reportedly visited the village. The officials conducted an awareness campaign to educate the villagers about the dangers of blind belief and urged them not to fall prey to such harmful superstitions.

Authorities emphasized the importance of rational thinking and explained that such practices not only violate human dignity but can also have legal and psychological consequences. The administration has assured ongoing community engagement to prevent recurrence of such incidents in the future.

The incident highlights the urgent need for sustained awareness programs in tribal-dominated regions, where centuries-old blind beliefs and superstitions continue to influence life and death decisions.