Nabarangpur: In yet another incident of sorcery suspicion in Odisha, members of a family of Nuaguda village under Baghasiuni panchayat of Nabarangpur district were forced by some locals to wash their hands with hot water mixed with cow dung over suspicion of practising witchcraft.

Acting on a complaint lodged by the victims, district police today arrested three persons in this connection. The arrested have been identified as Ghenu Jani, Pada Jani and Purusati Jani.

According to reports, some cattle had recently died in the village and several villagers suspected one Banamali Jani and his family members of practising sorcery which led to the death of the animals.

Yesterday around 11 am, five villagers barged into the house of Banamali and forced him and his family members to wash their hands with hot water mixed with cow dung.

Banamali, his wife and their daughter sustained injuries in the incident and were hospitalised. A case has been registered in this connection at the Nabarangpur police station and investigation is underway.