Paripada: Six tribal people, including five women, were beaten up allegedly by a group of villagers on the suspicion that they practised witchcraft at Madhupur in Mayurbhanj district, the police said today.

Seven persons were arrested in this connection.

Though the incident took place on October 22, the matter came to light when Radhimani Sing, wife of Siba Sing, filed an FIR at Badasahi police station on November three, said Sub-divisional Police Officer (SDPO), Betnoti, Dhiren Nanda.

In the FIR, Radhimani alleged that five villagers tied her husband Siba Sing to a tree and thrashed him, causing him serious injuries. When she protested, the villagers also beat her up after tying her to the tree in the presence of several people.

Siba Singh, who suffered grievous injuries in the assault, was admitted to hospital at Baripada. The villagers suspected that some people died in the village recently because of witchcraft, the police said.

After investigation police came to know four other women were also beaten up together with the tribal couple on the suspicion of practising witchcraft.

The SDPO visited the village.