Haunted tree in Koraput! Police launch awareness drive to dispel superstition after two deaths

Following reports of tension surrounding a ‘haunted’ tree in Semiliguda of the Koraput district in Odisha, Nandapur police intervened to address growing public concern. An awareness programme was organised on Thursday at Subai temple, attended by local representatives, villagers, and elders. 

During the event, police urged residents not to fall prey to superstition, emphasising that in the modern age of science, blind beliefs should not be entertained. Officers clarified that no ghosts or spirits reside in trees and assured villagers that the trees currently kept at the police station would not be relocated. They further appealed to the community to maintain peace and order in the area.

Background of the Incident

Tension had risen in Subai village under Semiliguda block after two deaths occurred in recent days, sparking fear among locals. Villagers believed that the deaths were linked to an unsatisfied spirit and sought the advice of a local sorcerer (gunia).

The sorcerer suspected that spirits were inhabiting a banyan and an ashwattha tree located on the outskirts of the village and suggested that uprooting and immersing the trees in a river would stop further deaths.

Villagers’ Actions and Police Response

On Sunday evening, a group of youths from the village uprooted both trees and transported them by tractor to the nearby Pitaguda River. However, rumours spread rapidly that the deaths were caused by the spirits residing in the trees. As a result, villagers from Pitaguda opposed the immersion and turned the group back. Similar objections were later raised by residents of Kunduli, Kolab, and Lenjiguda.

Upon being informed, Sunabeda police arrived at the scene, persuaded the villagers, and rescued the youths who had brought the trees. The trees were later taken to the Sunabeda police station for safekeeping. Nandapur police subsequently launched the awareness drive on Thursday to educate people against superstition and to promote rational thinking within the community.