Balasore, Aug. 3: Mayurbhanj police have arrested 10 persons on Saturday for allegedly torturing three persons, including two elderly women, suspecting them to be witches.

The accused have been identified as Diku Tudu, 25, Basen Tudu, 24, Baen Murmu, 65, Okil Hansda, 55, Biden Marandi, 55, Baburam Hansda, 45, Birbal Soren, 30, Baidyanath Hansda, 60, Bini Hansda, 60, Salkhu Murmu, 62, and Rajesh Hansda, 35. All of them are tribals belonging to Jodapokhari village and have been sent to jail.

Sub-divisional police officer Mohanpani Karua said: “The accused persons had branded three persons as witches following the death of a youth in the village. They had allegedly tortured and assaulted the victims.'

According to police , the accused had tortured Kasray Hansda, 70, his wife Pana Hansda, 65, and Manak Hansda, 62, of the same village in the last week of July following the death of a 25-year-old boy Susanta Hansda.

Hansda was sick and died at the Rairangpur Sub-divisional Headquarters Hospital on July 27.

While he was taken to burial ground, the family members felt that his hands moved and believed he was still alive. Suspecting that he was killed by the sorcery practised by the accused, they asked the victims to bring back his life by black magic. These three victims were compelled to perform rituals keeping the body beside them. As nothing happened, the accused persons brutally assaulted the trio.

Branding her as witch they not only stripped her, but also tied a broom around her waist. Further they tied her to an electric pole and tortured her till the police came to her rescue.