A couple was killed allegedly by villagers who suspected the husband of practising black magic, in Odisha's Keonjhar district, police said here today.
About 15 persons dragged one Rajendra Dehury (55) out of his house at Saharpur last night and stabbed him repeatedly as they suspected that a person in the village was ailing due to sorcery practised by him, Inspector-in-Charge Bijaya Kumar Bihari said.
When Dehury's wife Jema Dei (50) protested the attack, she was also subjected to similar treatment, Bihari said, adding, the assailants further vented their anger by severing their heads with sharp weapons, Bihari said.
The couple's two daughters and a son were witness to the gruesome incident.
Based on the statement of their elder daughter, police has registered case against the accused.
Meanwhile, the village wore a deserted look as all the male folk have fled fearing imminent police action.
Investigations are on in the case and a manhunt has been launched to nab the culprits, he said.
