Mohana (Gajapati): Police have arrested 12 people in connection with the alleged murder of a man on suspicion of practising witchcraft at Merama village under Mohana police station in Gajapati district, officials said Monday.
The accused, all residents of Merama village, allegedly killed Ramchandra Mallick late Saturday night and later burnt his body near a hillock close to the village, police said.
According to the complaint lodged by the deceased’s family, some villagers went to the hillock around 2 am, called Mallick and took him to the village. A meeting was subsequently held, following which he was allegedly assaulted on the village road and beaten to death.
The accused then allegedly carried the body to a forest near the hillock and set it on fire.
Following the complaint, police launched an investigation and a scientific team visited the spot on Monday to collect evidence and examine the scene.
R Udayagiri SDPO said 12 people allegedly involved in the incident have been arrested and produced before a court.
