The Hindu : Witchcraft suspicion leads to murder

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Monday, Mar 29, 2004

Andhra Pradesh

Andhra Pradesh

Witchcraft suspicion leads to murder

By Our Staff Reporter

SRIKAKULAM, MARCH 28. B. Tumbesu of Nuvvalarevu, accused of practising witchcraft, has been murdered by people of the village. His body was traced and exhumed today in the presence of MRO.

According to the Vajrapu Kotturu Sub-Inspector, Jagga Rao, a villager, Simhachalam, and his wife Jyoti, suspected Tumbesu of practising witchcraft and believed that he was responsible for the death of their three-year-old son on March 24. Since their elder son has also been sick, they suspected that Tumbesu's witchcraft was still at work. On March 26 night, some women and men went to the house of Tumbesu and brought him to Simhachalam's house to `treat' his son. However, they became angry and firmly believed that Tumbesu was practising witchcraft. He was allegedly attacked with knives and other sharp instruments and killed, Mr. Jagga Rao said.

On a complaint lodged by Tumbesu's wife, Tulasi, police visited the village yesterday. The body, buried in the sand near the backwaters close to the village, was exhumed. The SI said nine men, including the main accused, Simhachalam, and four women were arrested in connection with the case.

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Andhra Pradesh