Keonjhar: Despite periodic awareness campaigns by the government and various private organisations to tackle cases of witch-hunting, the superstitious practice is continuing unabated in the rurals parts of the district.

Two lives were lost to witch-hunting in Joda and Bamebari police station areas in the district in Odisha in the past 48 hours.

Tribal woman Dashama Munda, 55, was beaten to death at Chaduan village in Joda police station area on Monday while 45-year-old man Sudam Munda was hacked to death on Tuesday night at Pidhapokhari village in Bamebari police station area.

Sana Munda, 36, has been arrested for murdering Dashama, while four brothers who had killed Sudam have also been taken into custody.

Seeta - the mother of Sudam and four of his brothers - died of an undiagnosed illness recently.

Sudam's brothers were of the belief that Sudam had cast evil spirit on her, leading to her death.

The victim was tied to a tree and beaten to death by the accused brothers. Later, his body was dumped in a nearby ditch.

The arrested accused persons - Tutu Munda, 35, Sendha Munda, 33, Durga Munda, 32, and Mishra Munda, 28, - have confessed to committing the crime.

Booked under Odisha Prevention of Witch-Hunting (OPWH) Act and Section 302 (murder) of Indian Penal Code, they were was sent to jail after a local court rejected their bail application.