Six people were arrested in Odisha’s Balasore district for allegedly killing three tribals over witchcraft allegations, police said on Saturday. The incident took place in Barapada village under Oupada police station during a community feast where accusations of witchcraft, led to the lynching of three, including two women. 

The victims, identified as Dampa Singh, his wife Gurubari Singh and another woman Sombari Singh, were found dead on a hill four days after they went missing.

The incident came to light when Somabari’s elder son, who works in Bhubaneswar, attempted to contact his mother by phone without success. Upon returning home on Monday, he inquired about his mother's whereabouts and was told she had gone in search of work. He subsequently filed a missing person's report with the Oupada police station.

Balasore Superintendent of Police, Sagarika Nath, said that villagers suspected Dampa Singh of practising witchcraft after his wife lost her eyesight while collecting firewood in the forest. 

ALSO READ: Bengal: Woman, Four-Year-Old Son Burnt To Death In Birbhum's Notungeet

On Sunday, during a community feast to celebrate a villager's birthday, accusations against Dampa Singh of practising witchcraft led to an altercation, resulting in his lynching. Gurubari Singh and Sombari Singh were also lynched when they protested against the attack, police said.

ALSO READ: Chennai: Woman Gets Son Arrested To Help Cops Bust Ganja Smuggling Racket

Following the murders, the accused attempted to dispose of the bodies on a forested hilltop five kilometres away. They then held a meeting to keep the incident secret. However, police managed to solve the case and anticipate more arrests.