Witch-hunting in Odisha persists despite anti-witchcraft laws

According to a joint study by Odisha State Commission for Women (OSCW) and ActionAid in 2021, 83% of witch-hunting and witch-branding cases in Odisha are concentrated in Mayurbhanj, Sundargarh, Rayagada, Malkangiri, Keonjhar, Gajapati and Ganjam districts. The report also cited cases in Nabarangpur, Balasore, Nayagarh, Koraput and Kandhamal districts.