Rayagada: A man was lynched on suspicion of being a sorcerer in the Padmapur police station area of Rayagada district. The victim has been identified as Bhairab Sahoo from Hatapada Sahi.
According to reports, a group of people attacked Sahoo with sticks last night. When Padmapur police station officer Dharanidhar Pradhan arrived at the scene to rescue him, he was also attacked, and the police vehicle was vandalised.
The situation was brought under control with the arrival of Sub-Divisional Police Officer Babuli Nayak and a platoon of police force. Sahoo was rescued and taken to Padmapur Community Health Centre, where he was declared dead.
The police have arrested 28 people, including seven minors in connection with the incident. Three platoons of police force have been deployed in the area to maintain law and order, as tension prevails in Padmapur city.
