Koraput: As many as 12 people were arrested at Kakitra village under Gunupur police station in Rayagada district on Thursday in connection with the murder of a 39-year-old man over suspicion of practising sorcery.Police said Matia Patika was allegedly targeted over suspicion that he was practising sorcery and causing harm to villagers.Matia was found dead near a drain along the road connecting Laba and Kakitra villages on Sept 3. His motorcycle was also found at the spot.According to police, Matia had left his house around 5pm on Sept 2 but did not return till 9pm. When his wife, Subarni Patika, tried to contact him on the phone, his mobile was found switched off. She and other family members subsequently searched for him. “The family members found Matia lying near the drain around 6 am on Sept 3,” said Gunupur subdivisional police officer (SDPO) Babuli Nayak.According to Nayak, an investigation revealed that the accused — Bidika Ramachandra (22), Bidika Ramesh (23), Bidika Santosh (21), Mandangi Lingaraj (24), Patika Mojes (30), Patika Jogendra (20), Nimala Kumaru (21), Bidika Badama (20), Rabi Bidika (25), Bidika Kailas (22), Bidika Ramadas (20) and Mandangi Keshab (35), all residents of Kakitra village — had allegedly been harbouring resentment against Matia, who remained isolated from villagers and did not participate in community activities.Police said the accused had allegedly been looking for an opportunity to attack Matia. On Sept 2, they allegedly noticed him travelling towards Laba village and decided to target him while he was returning home. “The accused allegedly waited for Matia near Banguru Nala and intercepted him while he was returning on his motorcycle. They assaulted him with a cudgel and later threw his body into the nala before fleeing with the motorcycle,” the SDPO said.“The cudgel allegedly used in the offence, 12 mobile phones belonging to the accused and the deceased’s motorcycle were seized,” he added.