Man beaten to death in Gajapati

Berhampur: A 45-year-old man was allegedly beaten to death by some villagers at Talsingi in Gajapati district, two days ago. Villagers suspected the victim, Tibatiya Mallick, a former ward member, of practising witchcraft.
Police said after beating him to death they set his body afire on the hill top of Parabadi, about 3 km from the village, the same night.Police on Wednesday recovered the bones and ashes from the hill top with the help of villages and sent those to the forensic laboratory. "We have detained six persons," said IIC of Mohana police station Prasant Bhupati.
Villagers had warned wife and two daughters of the deceased against informing police about the incident. "His wife and daughters told us about the incident after we assured them to provide protection. They have agreed to lodge a complaint," said Bhupati.
Police said the villagers suspected Mallick of practising witchcraft when two persons died within a week while several others suffered from fever.