Nabarangpur: Police, along with a scientific team on Thursday exhumed the body of a 27-year-old woman from a cremation ground in the presence of an executive magistrate at Narasinghguda village under Tentulikhunti police limits in Nabarangpur and found her head and both hands missing, raising strong suspicion of tantric practices and black magic.
The body belonged to Nilandri Majhi, an unmarried woman from Narasinghguda village under Nandahandi block. She had died on September 26 Her family buried her in the village cremation ground instead of cremating her.
As per local custom, the family guarded the grave for the first 21 days, fearing that tantriks might dig up the body. They later stopped the vigil. On Thursday morning, villagers noticed the grave had been disturbed. When the family reached the spot, they found the body headless. Two sacrificed hens and other ritual items were lying near the grave.
The family alleged that miscreants had dug up the body in the middle of the night, severed the head and hands, and left the remains. After discovering the crime, they reburied the body.
On receiving information, Tentulikhunti police, a scientific team and Additional Tehsildar Seemanchal Patra reached the spot. In the presence of the executive magistrate, police and the scientific team exhumed the body for investigation.
Additional Tehsildar Seemanchal Patra said “On the requisition of Tentulikhunti police, we reached the spot and in my presence, police with the scientific team exhumed the body. I found the head and two hands were missing. Police have started investigation accordingly and will give a report.”
Police have recorded the statement of the deceased’s brother, Abhimanyu Majhi. The incident has triggered fear and panic among villagers, with widespread discussion about whether the act was part of a tantric ritual involving the skull for black magic or to obtain secret wealth.
