Tumudibandh: In a shocking incident, a youth was murdered by his brother and brother-in-law as human sacrifice at Rajam village under Tumudibandh block in Kandhamal district. The matter came to fore after Tumudibandh BDO was tipped off about the incident.
The deceased was identified as Bane Majhi (26) while the accused were identified as the deceased’s brother Handi Majhi and brother-in-law Terra Majhi.
According to sources, primitive tribals of the village celebrate a festival called ‘Meria’ in December. The tribals during the festival sacrifice domestic animals like cows and buffaloes to placate their gods and goddesses. They have a pole called ‘Meria pole’ where they tie the animals and slit their necks as sacrifice.
Terra and Handi dragged Bane in full public view and tied him to the ‘Meria pole’. They slit his nose, ear, tongue and private parts one by one and sacrificed it to their gods. They later took Bane’s body and buried him in a forest.
Undeterred by their heinous crime, they later attempted to murder Bena’s wife Sabitri Majhi and two children. Sabitri escaped from the village along with her children and took shelter in a woman’s house at Masanipara village under Belgarh police limits. Sabitri lived at the woman’s house for the last four months. As she was unable to take care of her children, she later attempted to sell them.
Tumudibandh BDO Basudev Mahari upon learning the incident lodged a complaint with the local police and arrested the duo. Police detained the duo who confessed to committing the crime during interrogation.
However, police failed to trace Bane’s body. Meanwhile, BDO Mahari assured Sabitri and her two children would be rehabilitated. “An investigation is on and we have not traced the body yet,” said IIC Tarun Tapan Behera. Social activists and elderly persons said lack of education and awareness are the main reasons behind such inhumane acts that still prevail in remote areas of the state. PNN
