Villagers of Nathma in tribals-dominated Rayagada district killed two persons late Wednesday night suspecting them as sorcerers.The two victims were identified as Apadu Melaka and litika Pidika of the village.
According to litika’s daughter Shukuri, who was rescued by journalists from her house, a group of villagers barged into their house around midnight and started assaulting her father. later, they tied him up with a rope and dragged him along the village road.
After rescuing Shukuri, the journalists handed her over to the Rayagada police.
Following the incident, almost all of the villagers, including women, have fled the village fearing a police crackdown. The bodies of the duo are yet to be traced, but it is suspected that villagers have thrown the bodies into a nearby river.
Police sources, however, said no formal complaint has been lodged with them in this regard.