Superstition Turns Deadly: Two Arrested for Murder in Chandaka Forest
Bhubaneswar, Nov 2 — In a chilling case that has stunned the capital, two youths have been arrested for the murder of a 72-year-old man, Balaram Deogam, whose skeletal remains were recovered from Chandaka Wildlife Sanctuary.
The accused, Kahnei Hembram (27) and Ram Samda (25), confessed to killing Deogam, whom they suspected of being a “gunia” — a traditional healer believed to possess supernatural powers.
The duo, originally from Mayurbhanj but residing in Pitagadia village near the sanctuary, claimed Deogam transformed into a bear-like creature at night and drained blood from villagers, including their fathers.
Driven by superstition and revenge, they strangled him and buried the body in a nearby drain.
Police launched an investigation after skeletal remains were found wrapped in a lungi and necklace, later identified by Deogam’s son. The victim had been missing since Durga Ashtami night, September 30.
The accused revealed that sudden deaths in their families had fueled suspicion and led to the fatal attack.
This incident highlights the persistent grip of superstition in tribal regions and its alarming spillover into urban fringes. Authorities are urging awareness and education to combat such dangerous beliefs.
