Five women and one man allegedly beaten for being witches

Six people have been allegedly beaten by villagers after being accused of practising witchcraft.

The Indian Express and the Times of India report that local police claim the beatings took place in Madhupur, part of the state of Odisha in north-eastern India.

Police in Madhupur, in the Mayurbhanj district, claimed the incident took place 22 October.

Radhimani Sing told police on 2 November that her husband Siba Sing had been tied to a tree and then beaten by other members of the village. She allegedly told police that when she protested, she was also tied to the tree and beaten.

The investigation of this incident reportedly led police to uncover four other women who had been similarly beaten.

India Express reports it was believed they were beaten on suspicion of witchcraft, following multiple deaths in the village, attributed to the accused 'witches'.

The Sub-Divisional police office announced that they visited the village.

HT India Express Times of India

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