Odisha: Woman Hacked To Death Over Sorcery Suspicion In Mayurbhanj

Udala: In a superstition-related crime, a woman was allegedly hacked to death by two brothers on the suspicion of practising sorcery at Sarisua village under Sarat police limits here in Mayurbhanj district on Tuesday evening.

Two brothers identified as Kalia and Balia Mohanty of the same village were believed to have committed the crime.

The incident took place when the woman identified as Khairi Mahanata was fetching water from a tube-well near her house. Two brothers had allegedly attacked Khairi with a sharp weapon. She sustained critical injuries on her neck and succumbed to her injuries.

As per reports, Kalia was childless even after10 years of his marriage and he suspected Khairi of practicing black magic on him.

On being informed, a team of officials from Sarat Police Station reached the village and launched an investigation. The team recovered the body and sent it for post-mortem.

The Sub-divisional Police Officer (SDPO) has also reached the spot on Wednesday and expedited the investigation.

A scientific team from Baripada has also been engaged in the investigation, police said.

The accused brothers, who are still absconding, will be arrested soon, they added.

In November, an elderly woman was killed by a man over similar reason at Chanabagada village within Digapahandi police limits in Ganjam district. The deceased identified as Saibani Malik was suspected of practicing sorcery after some villagers died under mysterious circumstance.

Similarly, in July this year, a man named Kartik Karei of Chhatara village under Danagadi block in Jajpur district had hacked a woman of the same village to death, suspecting her of practicing black magic that led to the death of Karei's cousin.