Baripada: A woman was allegedly hacked to death by her brother-in-law over suspicion of witchcraft at Lahandakacha village under Jharpokharia police limits in Odisha’s Mayurbhanj district, a source said Thursday.
The deceased woman was identified as Minati Murmu – wife of Bolai Murmu. Police have sent the body to Pandit Raghunath Murmu Medical College and Hospital (PRMMCH) in Baripada for post-mortem.
Minati’s husband Bolai Mumru lodged an FIR alleging that his brother and nephew killed his wife on the suspicion of her practising witchcraft.
According to the source, Bolai and his brother were at loggerheads over the alleged practice of witchcraft by Minati.
Bolai had left the house to watch the Makar Mela Wednesday night. He suspected that his brother along with his nephew entered his house late in the night in his absence and killed Minati. When Bolai returned to his residence, he found his wife lying in a pool of blood. Subsequently, he rushed Minati to a hospital in Jharpokharia where a doctor declared her dead.
On being informed, Jharpokharia Police along with a scientific team from Baripada reached the spot and launched an investigation.
Police have registered a case in this regard and a manhunt is on to nab the absconding suspects.
PNN