Bhubaneswar: In a gruesome incident, a 60-year-old woman was allegedly killed by a group of youths on suspicion of witchcraft at Sansiguru village under Seshakhala police station area in Rayagada district. The incident occurred on Thursday night while Jayadhan Mandangi was sleeping alone at her home.
According to her son, Jaga Tadingi, who lodged a complaint with the police, the youths stabbed Jayadhan to death due to superstition. This is not an isolated incident, as three similar cases of witchcraft-related violence have been reported in the same police station’s jurisdiction over the past 15 days, resulting in two deaths and one serious injury.
The victim’s family members have alleged that the youths of the village were responsible for the murder. Police have initiated an investigation and reached the spot after receiving the complaint. Intellectuals in the area believe that such incidents can be prevented if people are made aware of the dangers of superstition.
This recent incident echoes previous cases of witchcraft-related violence in Rayagada district. In April 2025, a 55-year-old man was killed over suspicions of engaging in witchcraft.
