Baripada: A tribal man allegedly killed his son, sister and niece to sacrifice them during a puja at Anibajada, about 35 km from here, in Orissa's Mayurbhanj district, police said today.

Bansidhar Madhial, who had performing puja late last night, allegedly hit and killed his sister Katina Nayak (35) and niece Rekha (10) the with a blunt object.

They died on the spot, police said.

Madhial s son Jagan (13), critically injured in the incident, died in a nearby hospital in Betanati after being admitted there.

Police said Madhial, who is a clerk in a government office here, has been taken into custody and further proceedings were continuing.

Though the reason behind the killing was yet to be ascertained, preliminary findings indicated it could be a case of human sacrifice as the accused had been worshipping during late hours of night for the last couple of days, police said.

Katina and Rekha, who would stay at neighbouring Gaudagaon village, had gone to Madhial s house to celebrate Dussehra.
Source : PTI