Five Arrested for Murder of Villager Accused of Witchcraft in Koraput | Bhubaneswar News
Koraput: Five individuals were arrested in Koraput district on Tuesday evening for allegedly killing a man on suspicion of practising witchcraft.
The accused have been identified as Jagama Miniaka (51), Kasari Miniaka (59), Rupa Miniaka (59), Dumburi Miniaka (54), all from Jarpa village, and Jagaili Miniaka (49) from Gajabadi village under Bandhugaon police station limits, police said.
According to the police, victim Siba Miniaka, a resident of Jarpa, was killed on the suspicion of practising witchcraft on Dec 9. The murder was the fallout of the death of a fellow villager due to TB, police said.
ASP (Koraput) Monabrata Satapathy said, “The accused believed Siba was practising witchcraft, which they thought caused the death of Dasa Miniaka, a fellow villager suffering from tuberculosis. Despite proper medical treatment, Dasa’s condition worsened, fuelling their superstitious beliefs.”
On the day of Dasa’s cremation, the accused, under the influence of alcohol, confronted Siba, and it soon spiralled into violence.
“In a fit of rage, Jagama and Kasari attacked Siba with a cudgel, joined by Jagili, Rupa and Dumburi, who also assaulted him until he succumbed to his injuries,” said the ASP. The group then cremated Siba’s body in the same pyre to destroy evidence.
The incident came to light after Burusha, Siba’s father and an eyewitness, filed a written complaint. Acting on it, Bandhugaon police registered the case and began an investigation.
“During interrogation, Jagama and Kasari confessed to the crime and led the police to the murder site, where the cudgel was recovered in the presence of independent witnesses,” said Satapathy.
“A forensic team visited the site and seized remains of the deceased, which will be sent for DNA analysis to confirm Siba’s identity,” she added.
Koraput-based activist Sanjit Patnaik said, “The tragic incident underscores the deep-rooted superstitions still prevalent in rural areas. It is a stark reminder of the need for awareness and education to prevent such heinous acts.”
The accused have been identified as Jagama Miniaka (51), Kasari Miniaka (59), Rupa Miniaka (59), Dumburi Miniaka (54), all from Jarpa village, and Jagaili Miniaka (49) from Gajabadi village under Bandhugaon police station limits, police said.
According to the police, victim Siba Miniaka, a resident of Jarpa, was killed on the suspicion of practising witchcraft on Dec 9. The murder was the fallout of the death of a fellow villager due to TB, police said.
ASP (Koraput) Monabrata Satapathy said, “The accused believed Siba was practising witchcraft, which they thought caused the death of Dasa Miniaka, a fellow villager suffering from tuberculosis. Despite proper medical treatment, Dasa’s condition worsened, fuelling their superstitious beliefs.”
On the day of Dasa’s cremation, the accused, under the influence of alcohol, confronted Siba, and it soon spiralled into violence.
“In a fit of rage, Jagama and Kasari attacked Siba with a cudgel, joined by Jagili, Rupa and Dumburi, who also assaulted him until he succumbed to his injuries,” said the ASP. The group then cremated Siba’s body in the same pyre to destroy evidence.
The incident came to light after Burusha, Siba’s father and an eyewitness, filed a written complaint. Acting on it, Bandhugaon police registered the case and began an investigation.
“During interrogation, Jagama and Kasari confessed to the crime and led the police to the murder site, where the cudgel was recovered in the presence of independent witnesses,” said Satapathy.
“A forensic team visited the site and seized remains of the deceased, which will be sent for DNA analysis to confirm Siba’s identity,” she added.
Koraput-based activist Sanjit Patnaik said, “The tragic incident underscores the deep-rooted superstitions still prevalent in rural areas. It is a stark reminder of the need for awareness and education to prevent such heinous acts.”
