Malkangiri: In yet another disturbing incident linked to blind superstition, an elderly man was brutally murdered on suspicion of practising witchcraft in the Kalimela block of Malkangiri district.
The incident occurred in Uskapali village under the jurisdiction of the Kalimela police station. The deceased has been identified as Mukka Padiami (52), a resident of the village.
According to local sources, several villagers had died over the past few days in Uskapali, which is predominantly inhabited by members of the Koya tribal community. Deep-rooted belief in superstition and witchcraft, led villagers to suspect Mukka Padiami of being responsible for the deaths.
Acting on this suspicion, miscreants allegedly attacked Mukka Padiami with sharp weapons, killing him on the spot.
Shockingly, this is not the first such tragedy involving the family. Earlier, Mukka Padiami’s two brothers were also murdered by villagers on similar allegations of practising witchcraft. Mukka thus became the third member of the family to fall victim to superstition-driven violence.
The incident has triggered fear and tension in the village. Police have launched an investigation and are working to identify and apprehend those involved in the crime.
