Andhracafe.com- An elderly couple was burnt to death by villagers in Ullitimmayipalli village under Chegunta mandal of Medak district on Thursday. They alleged that the couple was killing their cattle with black magic. Six people have been arrested so far. Police said Pandla Chinmna Sailu, 70, and his wife Pochamma, 60, both labourers, were burnt to death on suspicion that they were practicing bhanamati, or black magic.

One Rajaiah alleged that they killed his cattle with black magic.  He and some others picked up the couple from their house, beat them and tied them up.  They poured kerosene on them and burnt them even as other villagers watched.  Such incidents have taken place earlier in the backward Telangana region.  People suspected to be practising bhanamati on others are beaten or stoned to death or burnt. However, this is perhaps the first incident that a couple was burnt to death.

On receiving information about the incident, Ramayampeta circle-inspector Yadagiri Raju, Chegunta sub-inspector Sattaiah and Chegunta tahsildar Durgaiah rushed to the village.  However, by the time they reached the place the couple had died. 
Superintendent of police R.B. Naik and Medak revenue divisional officer B.S.V.V.S. Murty also visited the spot.  The case is being investigated by the Chegunta police.