40-Yr-Old Man Dies After Being Force-Fed Poison Over Sorcery Suspicion, 13 Held

At least 13 people were arrested for their involvement in the cold-blooded murder of a 40-year-old man on suspicion of sorcery in Seskhal area of Rayagada district, police said on Sunday.

- EXPRESS NEWS SERVICE @ Berhampur

The incident took place in Burusubadi village under Badaalubadi panchayat within Seskhal police limits on August 8. The deceased is Ramarao Jilakara, said IIC M Achary.

The IIC said accusing Ramarao of practicing witchcraft, a group of villagers tied him to an electric pole at the village square, assaulted him before forcing him to consume poison. After the victim died, they carried his body on a cot to the cremation ground and set it on fire. The villagers also threatened Ramarao's family members of dire consequences if they revealed the incident to anyone, he said.