Guwahati: Locals of a village of Andhra Pradesh went under a lockdown om their own to get rid of ‘Pishacha’ (flesh eating demons) in the state.
According to reports, the residents of Vennelavalasa village imposed a lockdown on themselves after the mysterious death of four locals in under one month.
The village’s government office was likewise closed. Outsiders were not permitted in the community, which had erected fences to keep them out. Employees, medical personnel, and teachers were not permitted to enter the school or Anganwadi centres.
The village is in the Srikakulam district’s Sarubujjili Mandal, and it shares a border with Odisha. The inhabitants believe that putting the village on lockdown will deter the evil spirits.
Locals say that some residents in the area have been sick with fever for a few days and that four people have died as a result. Villagers say it was caused by the village’s malevolent spirits on the prow
According to reports, village elders consulted clerics from Odisha and the neighbouring Vizianagaram district, who recommended a lockdown. Lemons were planted in four directions of the village, as suggested by the priests, and a lockdown was imposed from April 17 to 25.
The road leading to the village was also closed, with a sign stating that visitors were not permitted and that residents should not leave their homes.
The incident has caused quite a stir in the neighbourhood. Many questioned the practise, but others supported it.
The community was visited by local authorities, including the police, to persuade them to open an Anganwadi, a school, and a village secretariat, all of which were eventually allowed to operate following discussions.