Elderly woman beaten to death over suspected sorcery

Mayurbhanj: Police on Monday detained five persons of Dhansul village under Rasagobindapur police limits in Mayurbhanj district for their alleged involvement in the murder of an elderly woman. She was beaten to death by the villagers, who suspected her of practising witchcraft.
According to reports, some people forcibly dragged Sakina Rout (65), a widow, out of her home on Sunday night and thrashed her mercilessly. Later, they dumped her at an isolated place one kilometer away.
On being informed, police rescued Sakina and rushed her to a nearby hospital, where doctors declared her dead.
Despite implementation of Odisha Prevention of Witch Hunting Act, 2013, to check the menace of witchcraft-related violence, such killings continue unabated in tribal-dominated Mayurbhanj district.