Sharmili Mallick

Angul: Despite lot of awareness, villagers in several parts of Odisha continue fall prey to superstitions and other blind beliefs. In one such incident, a family hired a sorcerer to revive a dead woman in Angul.

According to reports, a woman identified as Rinki Barik was bitten by a venomous snake on Saturday. Though the family members rushed Rinki to Chhendipada Hospital, she was declared brought dead by the doctors.

Later, the family members called a sorcerer to conduct puja for bringing Rinki back to life.

Several attendants of patients were taken aback when the sorcerer started to chant mantras by placing the dead body outside the hospital.

"Not only ignorant but also educated mass resort and fall prey to such superstitions. However, a patient can only be saved through proper medical treatment instead of such black magic methods," said Angul Chief District Medical Officer (CDMO), Rabi Chandra Gadnayak.

On being informed, police rushed to the spot and sent the body of the woman for post-mortem.

"Even after the doctors declared the woman dead, her family members were not satisfied and called the sorcerer to resurrect her. Later, police team reached the spot and warned the sorcerer for not indulging in such acts,' said Angul Sub-Divisional Police Officer (SDPO) Harihar Pani.

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