PARVATHIPURAM: The Parvathipuram-Manyam district police have arrested sixteen individuals, including women and teenagers, in connection with the brutal lynching of a 30-year-old tribal man.
The victim, identified as Tadangi Ramesh, was dragged from his residence and beaten to death by a mob of fellow villagers who falsely suspected him of practicing witchcraft and black magic.
Following the murder, the attackers transported the body to the outskirts of the village and attempted to burn it to obliterate evidence of the crime.
The tragic incident unfolded in Velagavalasa village, located within the Parvathipuram mandal. According to law enforcement officials, the hostility originated when another local resident, Tadangi Gopi, fell ill with a persistent fever.
Gopi reportedly claimed to have had a vivid nightmare in which Ramesh was strangling and assaulting him, leading Gopi's immediate family and neighbors to spread malicious rumors that Ramesh was using occult practices to cause the illness. Fuelled by these superstitious claims, an agitated mob eventually stormed Ramesh's house, forcibly extracted him, and executed the fatal assault.