Nabarangpur: A woman was beaten to death on suspicion of practising witchcraft at Gujumapadar village under Papadahandi block in Nabarangpur district on Tuesday.
Sources said the incident happened when the victim, Tulabati Santa, was sleeping at her home at night.
Two fellow villagers, Dhanu Santa and Radhu Santa, called Tulabati outside the house and then allegedly beat her to death. Tulabati’s daughter-in-law Tikam was critically injured while trying to rescue her.
Sources said the family members of Dhanu and Santa were ill and they suspected that Tulabati had cast an evil spell on them.
The deceased’s family have lodged a complaint at Maidalapur police station. Police said they have launched a manhunt for the two accused who have been absconding since the killing.
Earlier too, villagers had ostracized Tulabati’s family for allegedly practising witchcraft.
