Berhampur: In a shocking incident eight persons, including two girls, were forced to eat human excreta and tonsured after their teeth were pulled by villagers in Ganjam district following suspicions that they were practicing witchcraft.
Berhampur sub-divisional police officer Chikiti B K Nayak today said the incident took place on January 18 at Olapur village but the FIR was lodged by one of the victims yesterday.
Following the filing of the FIR, police arrested three persons, including a village ward member, and search is on for others who were allegedly involved in the attack and are now absconding.
Most of the victims have fled the village out of fear and are being treated in different places. The condition of one of them is stated to be serious and has been admitted to MKCG Medical College and Hospital here, he said.
The eight persons had denied practicing witch-craft in a village meeting earlier but the villagers did not accept it.
"We have asked the victims to return to their houses and record their statements," the SDPO said.
Police have assured the victims security during their stay in the village. Patrolling in the village and the neighbouring ones have been intensified to arrest other accused persons, he added.