Youth tied up, beaten by villagers over witchcraft suspicion in Ganjam

In a shocking incident rooted in superstition, a youth was allegedly tied up and brutally assaulted by villagers on suspicion of practicing witchcraft. The incident took place in Basudevpur village under Digapahandi Police Station in Ganjam district.

The victim has been identified as K. Panchanan.

According to reports, Panchanan was targeted after a young woman from the village fell seriously ill and was admitted to the hospital. When doctors failed to diagnose her condition, her family and relatives suspected that black magic might be involved. Acting on this suspicion, they blamed Panchanan for allegedly causing the illness through witchcraft.

Subsequently, some villagers including the girl’s relatives allegedly tied up Panchanan and physically assaulted him. 

Following a formal complaint naming four individuals, Digapahandi police registered a case and launched an investigation into the matter.

Must Read: Man set on fire by villagers on suspicion of practising witchcraft in Odisha

This incident underscores the dangerous grip of superstition that still lingers in parts of rural Odisha, leading to serious human rights violations and violence.

Earlier last year, villagers had set a 50-year-old man on fire over suspected witchcraft practice at Portipada village under Sinapali police limits in Nuapada district.

The villagers accused Majhi of practising witchcraft and called a meeting in the village where he was threatened with dire consequences. Despite his denial of any witchcraft practice, a few villagers assaulted him and later set him on fire.