The bodies of Mangri Munda and her children were discovered in a well near their home on 26 January, BBC reported. “Witch hunts”, targeting women are fairly common across many parts of rural India. Senior police officer Kavita Jalan said that the main accused claimed to be a “witch doctor”. Branding women as witches is a common practice in the tribal communities in the state. Killings related to “witchcraft” are on an increase in Orissa, despite laws that ban witch hunts.

Source: The Express Tribune January 30, 2019 16:30 UTC