These however are folklore stories told to British workers in the 1600s. Claims of cannibalism are often used to attack minorities even when there is no evidence. And non-Hindu and non-Buddhist religious practices would be unacceptable to observant Hindus and Buddhists, without them having to be lying witches.
These stories from the 1600s were told to British workers; they frequently use claims of cannibalism to criticize minorities. Practices not aligned with Hindu or Buddhist beliefs would be seen as unacceptable by observant Hindus and Buddhists, without any need for them to be false witches.