Elderly Man Beaten to Death Over Witchcraft Allegations in Sahibganj District

Dumka: Two persons were arrested on Sunday for allegedly beating a 60-year-old man to death in Telo Tok village, a PVTG-dominated area, under the Tinpahar police station limits of Sahibganj district on Saturday. The duo killed the elderly after charging him with practising witchcraft.The accused, identified as Polus Malto (25) and Sushil Malto (19), hailed from the village of the victim, Goiya Pahariya, who belonged to the PVTG Pahadiya community.Quoting the deceased person’s relatives, villagers said many accused Goiya Pahariya of practising witchcraft, and the duo tied him to a tree and brutally beat him with sticks, leading to his death before police could arrive at the scene. According to Chandi Paharin, the victim’s wife, and daughter, Sonali Paharin, a village panchayat meeting was held in the morning over the killing, but no resolution was reached.The family alleged that Polus Malto happens to be the son of the local village head, Surja Pahadiya, who died a few days ago. He, along with others, dragged Goiya Pahariya out of his house after charging him with practising witchcraft. The police, on the other hand, said both victim and accused families had an old enmity.