A 45-year-old man was beaten to death and his body set on fire allegedly by some locals on the suspicion of practising black magic at Talsingi village in Gajapati district, police said today.
The victim, identified as Tibatiya Mallick, was beaten to death and his body set afire on the hill top of Parabadi three days ago by some villagers, police officials said.
The accused suspected Mallick practised sorcery when two persons died within a week, while some others suffered from fever in the area, they said.
Police yesterday recovered the bones and ashes from the hill top, about three km from the village, and sent them to forensic laboratory.
Six persons were detained in this connection, they said.
The villagers, who had allegedly committed the crime, warned the wife and two daughters of Mallick against informing police about the incident.
"Mallick's family told us about the incident after we assured them of providing protection. They have also agreed to lodge a complaint," they said.
