Bhubaneswar: Despite India having completed 76 years of independence and making significant strides in information technology, certain regions remain plagued by superstition. The nation, under Prime Minister Narendra Modi, is working towards becoming the world’s third-largest economy, and Odisha too harbors grand development ambitions. However, recent events highlight the persistence of superstitions in the state, leading to tragic consequences. Within a week, two horrifying incidents have shaken the state, both involving brutal murders stemming from witchcraft suspicions.
Historically, several districts in Odisha, including Sundargarh, Mayurbhanj, Keonjhar, Kandhamal, Kalahandi, Koraput, Rayagada, Nabarangpur, Malkangiri, and Nuapada, have witnessed witchcraft-related killings. On the 1st of this month, a gruesome murder took place in the Koida area of Sundargarh district. Similarly, in Balasore, one of the state’s more educated districts, a major incident linked to witchcraft suspicion occurred on June 30th, revealing itself on July 4th.
What Happened in Balasore? In the Balasore district’s Oupada police station area, in Barapada village of Badapokhari Panchayat, Dampa Singh’s wife, Jalia Singh, lost her vision while gathering wood in the forest some days ago. This incident was discussed during a village meeting on Sunday evening. Some villagers claimed Jalia’s blindness was caused by witchcraft, accusing her husband of practicing it. Dampa Singh protested against these accusations, inciting anger among the villagers, which led to mob violence. The enraged crowd brutally beat Dampa Singh to death. When Sambari Singh tried to intervene, he too was killed. Ultimately, Jalia Singh was also murdered. The villagers, in a gruesome act, killed three people within a short period and decided to dispose of the bodies on a nearby hill. The villagers took an oath not to disclose the incident. However, Sambari Singh’s son, who lives in Bhubaneswar, became concerned after failing to contact his mother and other family members from Sunday night. He later filed a written complaint at the Oupada police station. Following the complaint, the police arrested six youths from the village, with four admitting to their involvement in the murders.
Youth Roams with Severed Head On the 1st, a chilling incident took place in Purunapani village of Koida block in Sundargarh district. Salman Munda brutally killed his relative, Najim Munda, with an axe, suspecting him of witchcraft. After the murder, Salman roamed the village carrying his uncle’s severed head in a bag. The villagers alerted the police, who arrived at the scene and arrested the accused.
Elderly Man Beaten and Stoned On June 27th, in Chalaka village under Muribahal police station of Balangir district, an elderly man was mercilessly beaten to death on suspicion of witchcraft. The police have arrested one person in connection with this incident, and two minors involved have been produced before the Juvenile Justice Board in Bhawanipatna. The victim, Archu Bagh, was attacked with sticks and stones, leaving him severely injured. The assailants, dissatisfied with the initial assault, continued beating him inside his house. Tragically, despite witnessing the attack, the neighbors did not intervene.