Human Sacrifice? 3 found with slit throats in Anantapur

Villagers suspect treasure hunters would have killed them as they were temple custodians Three people, including two women, were killed in early Monday hours at the Shiva temple complex in Tanakallu Mandal village in Anantapur district in Korthikota.

The motive behind the killings was not clear, but villagers suspect they would have been killed by some treasure hunters as they were temple custodians and remained on the temple complex. Identified the dead as S. His elder sister Kadapala Kamalamma, 70, Shivaramireddy, 70, and Satya Lakshmiamma, 70.

The temple was being restored in the 15th century and work was ongoing, said Kadiri Rural Circle Inspector T. Madhu. After midnight, some unidentified people came to the temple complex, allegedly slit all three people's throats and sprinkled the blood on the Shiva Linga in the sanctum sanctorum and a few anthills.

A native of Madanapalli in the district of Chittoor, Shivaramireddy is the temple priest and returned on Sunday evening from Madanapalli. He stays in Madanapalli with his wife and three children. Temple complex is 500 meters from the village and only in the morning people were alerted and informed the police. Dog squads have been pressed into service and research is on. So far, no arrests have been made.