Kaliapani: In a gruesome murder, a man hit his wife with an arrow killing her on the spot over suspected witchcraft at Kumadibahali village under Chingudipal panchayat under this police limits in Jajpur district Wednesday, police said Thursday.
The victim was identified as Saraswati Tudu (30), wife of Kalin Tudu (34), in the village. Police arrested the killer husband Kalin and produced him in the court.
He was remanded to Ragadi sub-jail custody after the magistrate rejected his bail plea. A case was registered in this connection and the murder weapon was seized for forensic examination. The incident has spread shockwaves in the area.
Police said the victim was married to Kalin 12 years back and had a son and a daughter from the marriage.
However, the couple was not in good terms and always fought as Kalin used to suspect his wife of practicing witchcraft.
The incident occurred when Saraswati was preparing spices on a grinding stone for cooking near the cowshed at her house. Kalin returned home and picked up a bow and arrow and shot his wife with it. The arrow pierced her spine as Saraswati collapsed writhing in pain.
Family members and villagers informed Kaliapani police and were preparing to take her to the hospital when she succumbed on way due to excessive bleeding.
Preliminary inquiries indicated that Kalin killed his wife over suspected witchcraft.
Killings over suspected witchcraft practices is rampant among tribal communities due to high rate of illiteracy prevailing among them and lack of development in the area. PNN
