At least 27 people have been arrested for beating five women to death near state capita; Ranchi for allegedly practising witchcraft, Jharkhand Police said on Sunday.
"Till now 27 people have been arrested in connection with the murder of five women. More people can be arrested," a police officer told IANS.
The women were beaten to death on Saturday at Mandar, around 40 km from here.
Meanwhile, Chief Secretary Rajiv Gauba held a high-level meeting here on the rising incidence of women being targeted as witches.
He directed the police to file the chargesheet in the murder case within a month.
The chief secretary also asked officials to take measures to prevent repetition of such incidents.
Besides, the meeting decided to set up fast-track courts for speedy disposal of such cases which have taken place in the past three years.