Daijiworld Media Network - Patna

Patna, Jul 7: In a shocking case of superstition-fuelled violence, five members of a tribal family were beaten to death and their bodies burned in Bihar’s Purnea district, after being accused by villagers of practising witchcraft.

The victims — Babulal Oraon, Sita Devi, Manjeet Oraon, Rania Devi, and Tapto Mosmat — were blamed by residents of Tetgama village for a series of deaths and illnesses in the area. The situation escalated after the death of a villager’s son despite undergoing local healing rituals, known as jhaar-phoonk, and another child falling ill.

The brutal attack took place on Sunday, with four charred bodies found near a pond by the police. A child from the family survived the attack and informed authorities that the entire village had turned on their family.

“The victims were beaten by the villagers on suspicion of witchcraft,” confirmed Purnea SP Sweety Sehrawat, adding that the killings were linked to local superstitions involving tantra-mantra practices.

The survivor is reportedly in a state of trauma and unable to provide a full statement, delaying the registration of a formal FIR.

Police teams, supported by a dog squad, are patrolling the village, which has largely emptied out after the incident. One suspect, Nakul Kumar, has been arrested for allegedly inciting the mob.

Meanwhile, Leader of Opposition Tejashwi Yadav criticised the Nitish Kumar government, citing a string of recent violent incidents across Bihar.

“Criminals are alert, the Chief Minister is unconscious,” he posted on X.

The horrific incident underscores the deep-rooted belief in witchcraft still prevalent in parts of rural Bihar and the urgent need for awareness and legal intervention to prevent such atrocities.