A 60-year-old person was murdered due to sorcery, and six suspects have been arrested.

In the quiet villages of Rayagada and Tikiri, a tragic incident has shaken the community. A 65-year-old man, Gopala Dora, was found dead in a nearby river. What's even more shocking is that he was allegedly murdered by his own villagers. The reason? Suspicions of practicing sorcery and causing harm to their families. The police have been swift in their actions and have arrested six individuals in connection with the murder. Five of them were apprehended from the Doraguda area, while one was found in Puri. The incident took place in Doraguda village, located in the Kashipur block. The news of the murder has left everyone in shock and disbelief. According to the authorities, the victim's daughter, Gangama Dora, had reported her father missing on January 21st. She stated that her father had been living in a hut outside the village, taking care of cattle. He had not returned home for the past 25 days. This raised red flags for the villagers, and they began to search for him. Unfortunately, they found his lifeless body in the river, with his hands and legs tied and a stone tied to his waist. The police were quick to take action, and within three days of the body's recovery, they cracked the case. The arrested individuals have been identified as Iswar Dora, Eno Dora, Ramarao Dora, Nachi Dora, Raju Dora, and Mohanrao Dora. Interestingly, one of the accused, Iswar Dora, was arrested in Puri, while the rest were detained in the Doraguda area. During the investigation, the police found evidence, including a piece of eucalyptus wood, plastic bags, and ropes, that were allegedly used in the crime. During interrogation, the accused confessed to killing Gopala Dora due to their superstitions and beliefs. The police have also conducted a post-mortem examination and presented all the accused in court. This incident has brought to light the prevalence of superstition and lack of awareness in remote tribal areas like Rayagada. Despite the presence of major industrial units and CSR activities, the locals are questioning the effectiveness of education, health, and awareness programs at the grassroots level. It's a sad reality that in this day and age, such incidents are still happening, highlighting the need for more education and awareness in these areas. The loss of Gopala Dora's life is a tragedy and a reminder that we need to break free from the shackles of superstition and embrace progress and knowledge. Let's hope that justice prevails for him and his family.