Baripada, March 31: In a shocking incident reported from Ward No. 6 under Udala police limits in Mayurbhanj district, a woman was allegedly attacked brutally by her daughter-in-law over suspicion of practicing witchcraft.

According to sources, the victim, Sabitri Dutta, was sitting on the veranda of her house on Tuesday evening when her daughter-in-law, Mami Dutta, suddenly dragged her inside and assaulted her with a wooden stick. When Sabitri resisted, the accused reportedly attacked her repeatedly with a sharp weapon, allegedly attempting to kill her.

Eyewitnesses said that the victim’s son, who was present during the incident, remained a silent spectator and did not intervene.

Hearing the victim’s screams, neighbors rushed to the spot and alerted the police. Acting swiftly, police reached the scene, rescued the critically injured woman, and admitted her to a nearby hospital.

Police have detained the accused daughter-in-law and initiated an investigation into the matter. Preliminary reports suggest that the attack was carried out on suspicion of witchcraft, though the accused claimed she was under the influence of a deity at the time of the incident.