Nilagiri: A woman and her daughter sustained injuries in an assault from fellow villagers who suspected the duo of indulging in sorcery at tribal-dominated Udapada village under this block in Balasore district Monday.
The victims were identified as Ratni Mani Singh, and her daughter Rashmita Singh. The two were admitted to the local sub-divisional hospital where their condition was stated to be normal.
Ratni, after her husband’s death, was living in a rented house with Rashmita, who started staying with her mother after her husband’s death.
Both of them did odd jobs to earn a living. But, the frequent visit of an alleged sorcerer Daitari Mallick to their house raised suspicion of villagers. The death of two village youths in the last two months aggravated the situation, with the villagers putting blame on the duo. They accused the women of practicing sorcery and killing the youths of the village.
Learning that Mallick had visited their house again, the agitated locals attacked the women. While Mallick managed to escape, the duo faced the wrath of villagers.
Meanwhile, locals claimed that they found puja items, some photos and objectionable material from their house.
Local IIC Ramesh Chandra Singh said the police would soon take up the case and launch a probe. PNN
