In a chilling incident that underscores the persistence of superstition-fueled violence, eight youths have been detained in Mohana block of Odisha’s Gajapati district for allegedly murdering a man suspected of practising sorcery.
The victim, Karunakar Dalei, originally from Kamalapur village, had been residing in Kusumpur for the past eight months, offering herbal remedies to locals. Tensions escalated after the death of a 12-year-old boy in the village, sparking rumours that Dalei’s practices were linked to witchcraft.
On July 28, a group of youths reportedly abducted Dalei from his home, confined him at an anganwadi centre, and subjected him to brutal torture over three days. He succumbed to his injuries, and his body was allegedly buried in a forested hilltop area, approximately 4 km from the village.
Following a complaint from Dalei’s family, Mohana police launched an investigation and detained eight individuals for interrogation. Authorities have initiated the process to exhume the body in the presence of a magistrate to gather forensic evidence and verify the claims.
The incident has reignited concerns over the prevalence of sorcery-related violence in tribal regions and the urgent need for awareness and legal safeguards.
