Berhampur, Jan. 20: A group of villagers of the remote Talsingh in Sikulipadar panchayat in Gajapati district, about 70km from here, allegedly killed 45-year-old Tabatia Mallick on Monday on the suspicion of practising witchcraft.

Mohana police have detained six villagers after Sabitri Mallick, the widow of the victim, lodged an FIR on Wednesday.

"The villagers called Tabatia from his house and took him to a nearby jungle. There, they allegedly attacked him with lathis and sharp weapons, killing him on the spot. They also burnt Tabatia's body in the jungle," said inspector in charge of Mohana police station Prasant Kumar Bhupati.

"We have detained Sima Mallick, Muna Mallick, Shyam Sundar Mallick, Manika Mallick and Kala Krushna Mallick - all residents of the same village. They have confessed to committing the crime. We have interrogated them and seized the bones and ashes from the jungle," Bhupati said.

Sources said that following deaths of a number of villagers in the past few months, the accused persons felt that Tabatia's practice of witchcraft was to be blamed for all the deaths and illness in the village.

"The accused persons also threatened me and our family members of dire consequences if we revealed the matter to anyone. They had threatened to kill all of us if we did not allow them to take Tabatia to the jungle," said Sabitri.

The police swung into action after being informed of the incident by some family members of the deceased from faraway places.