Post News Network
Joda, Nov 30: In a gruesome incident, a tribal couple of Jankasahi in Kolhahundula village in Keonjhar district was killed on suspicion that they were practising sorcery. Their 11-year-old daughter was allegedly raped by miscreants who are alleged to have beaten their two other daughters.
Police started an investigation into the sordid incident and arrested three persons – Nidhi Munda, Upendra Munda and Iban Munda – in this connection. The minor girl was also medically examined.
The deceased were identified as Pandu Munda (42) and his wife Meta Munda (35). Police recoved the bodies and sent them to Barbil hospital for post-mortem.
IIC of Joda police station Saroj Kumar Mohapatra said Sabita Munda, wife of Sukuram Munda (brother of accused Upendra Munda) was not keeping well for a long. The tribal family thought it might be the fallout of some curse and conducted a ritual called ‘Tika Puja’ at their house to ward off evil spirit November 28.
A priest from Mahadebbasa performed the rituals and a coconut was taken around the village. According to the priest, illness of the woman was caused by someone’s curse or sorcery and the person doing witchcraft will be caught during the coconut perambulation.
On instruction from the priest, Sukuram Munda and his uncle Sena Munda took the coconut to the house of Pandu Munda and hurled it on the handia-brewing pot, which was broken.
The incident triggered angry wrangling between Pandu and Upendra. Later, Pandu called ward member Suna Mani to settle the issue Sunday. Ahead of the meeting, Nidhi and Iban along with their accomplices attacked Pandu and Meta with heavy wooden handles to death. After the couple collapsed, they allegedly raped the couple’s 11-year-old daughter and beat two others.
The accused hid the bodies in a stack of hay. Ward member Suna Mani lodged a complaint with police. Three accused were arrested immediately.
