Shocking: Human sacrifice for hidden treasure in Sullia?

Daijiworld Media Network – Sullia (EP)

Sullia, Nov 18: Our land has witnessed several rulers in history and people assume that their treasurers are hidden underground in various places in the country.  We also hear some instances of finding such wealth in some parts of the country. But it is disturbing to know that some people are prepared to sacrifice humans to find such wealth. The story that follows tells us of a series of deaths that are suspected to be humans sacrifices, though it is not clear if such killings have taken place only for finding treasure.

Background

People in Sullia started picking precious stones in the reserved forest area about 25 years ago.  Traders from Jaipur came to buy those stones. The business has spread and continued till now. Though everybody used to pick such stones in the beginning, gradually only influential people and those with muscle power could venture into it. The business continued to such an extent, that there were constant arguments and fights between the forest department officials and people. The area between Sullia forest and Coorg’s Somavarpet had no security. The forest department had become helpless in front of the precious stone pickers. People near the forests had lost their sleep amidst all the tension.

The green, red and blue stones found in Balugodu, Kollamogra and Nadugallu of Sullia taluk fetched a price of Rs eight to nine thousand per kg. People who were looting stones had ventured into places where the stones were available in large numbers. They identified a historic temple in Ratnapura in the middle of the forest. Though going there is difficult due to presence of leeches, there are signs that there was a temple there thousands of years ago.  However, only a lake can be found now.  The remaining structure has got destroyed, say the locals.

Hidden treasure

Treasure seekers still believe that there are precious stones in the place of the old temple here even now.  A group was preparing to dig the ground about three years ago, but they backed off when they saw some troubling scene.  It is well known that precious stones are available all over the area.  Many people have become millionaires by selling these stones.  It is believed that goddess Durgaparameshwari, the divine force was annoyed with the misrule of the local king and had come flowing in the river and started living in Marakatha near Subrahmanya temple.  People say that precious stones known as Marakatha can be found if one searches in the area.

Ever since the secret of the hidden treasure of Ratnapura was unraveled, people have had their eyes on it. Attempts to search for the treasure have continued.

'Human sacrifice'

However, the search took a dangerous turn later.  Several unnatural deaths have stunned local people in the area. There are rumours that an astrologer had advised human sacrifice in order to retrieve the treasure.

Sharika, a one-year-old child of Mohandas and Bhavani of Nadugallu had gone missing on August 11 this year. The child's body was found after thirteen days on the river bed about one kilometer away from their house, with her head and hands chopped off.  The parents suspect that the child might have been sacrificed for treasure.

Mohandas had gone out for work and his wife had gone for a meeting on August 10.  The child was left with her grandmother. The child came out of the house without the notice of her grandmother.  The police said that the child had gone near the river nearly one hundred meters away from the house and was washed away in it. Though the villagers went searching for her, they could not locate her.  The parents had gone to the astrologer who said that the child was living and could be found if searched.  However, the police said that it was not possible to find the child based on astrologer’s assumptions.  They said that the child might have been eaten by creatures in the river.

The child’s mother Bhavani said that the body of the child was found in a sleeping position on a small tree. The body from the head till the chest was decomposed.  One hand was also decomposed. But as per the locals, the remaining portion of the body was not decomposed, which was strange.  However, the police who conducted post-mortem said that her entire body was decomposed.  The doctor also confirmed it.  However the body seemed like the child had died just a day ago.  Her neck was decomposed but body was intact. 

Another strange fact is that the villagers had not found the body there a day earlier when they came searching for the child. There was no foul smell either.

Ananda, who conducted the search for the child said that Sharika was sacrificed for treasure. The parents claim that they have not been able to get justice due to their poverty.  The body of the child was found on August 23. 

Series of deaths

A woman in the area committed suicide under mysterious circumstances on September 7.  It is alleged that the woman had taken the child Sharika from the veranda of the house.  The villagers are suspicious regarding the suicide of the woman.  70-year old Parameshwara Gowda, who was staying alone at Balugodu was murdered on September 16 night.  He has been killed apparently to extract some information by tying his hands and legs and covering his face and pouring water on him.  The astrologer at Valalambe in Sullia who had suggested th way to obtain the treasure and who had subsequently warned against it, died of heart attack on September 20.  Soon after, Dyavanna Gowda, who was suffering from back pain, died of heart attack while climbing a tree.  It is strange that he tried climbing a tree when he could not even walk properly.

Durgaprasad, a local said that he has apprehension regarding the five unnatural deaths that have occurred here. People suspect that the deaths are occurring for treasure.  The police however have taken the deaths lightly.  Subrahmanya police have registered FIR against thirteen people with regard to the search for treasure. Four people including a black magician have been arrested.  A case has been registered against five people with regard to the death of an old man and two of them are under arrest.  However the prime suspect has not been arrested.  The police must find out who actually is behind the killings, say the locals.

Durgaprasad said that some people have dug a well near a lake in the forest in their search for the treasure.  The material for puja such as oil bottles and other things have been found there.  The villagers have expressed anguish that the police department and revenue department who need to take action against the guilty have remained silent.

The locals have said that the revenue department should have acted as the treasure is a government property.  As the treasure was said to be present in the forest, the forest department also should have taken action. Besides that, Sukumar, who was present at the time of Parameshwara Gowda's death, is also being suspected.  Though his name is in the FIR, he is yet to be arrested.  The people are scared wondering who would be the next victim of the search for the hidden treasure.

The reason for the child’s death's has still not been ascertained.  It is suspected that Parameshwar Gowda was killed to know the details of the treasure.  The other two murders are assumed to have taken place to destroy evidence.  It is not clear how the astrologer died but he had warned that it may be disastrous to proceed with the treasure hunt.  It is still a mystery as to who are after the treasure or to whose hands it will fall. 

Lack of action against the guilty will result in continued deaths and murders, lament the villagers.