Bhadrak: A 54-year-old woman was allegedly assaulted in Odisha’s Bhadrak district over suspicion of practising witchcraft, police said Thursday.
The incident took place September 25 in Banitia village in the Bhadrak Rural police station area, but the woman lodged a complaint six days later Wednesday.
The woman alleged that a group of villagers entered her house, assaulted her and damaged her property while accusing her of practising witchcraft.
According to her complaint, the attackers allegedly beat her with a crowbar and wooden sticks and damaged the fence and grill of her house. She also alleged that some of her belongings were looted.
While she was being taken to hospital in an auto-rickshaw after sustaining injuries, some villagers allegedly intercepted the vehicle, dragged her out and assaulted her again.
Police said they reached the spot after receiving information, rescued the woman and admitted her to the Bhadrak District Headquarters Hospital for treatment.
“My son and I were previously attacked, and my son was admitted to the hospital. They have been accusing me of practising witchcraft,” the woman alleged.
Bhadrak Rural police station IIC Subrata Das said the FIR was primarily registered in connection with a land dispute, though the complainant had also alleged that she was being subjected to torture on suspicion of practising witchcraft.
A case has been registered against six persons, including two women, he said.
“The investigation is underway, and no one has been arrested so far,” he added.
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