5 of family killed, burnt in Bihar over ‘witchcraft’ suspicion

“It is an Oraon community village, with most of the villagers belonging to the tribal group. We received information that five members of a family were assaulted and killed. Whether they were burnt alive or set on fire after death is under investigation,” said Pankaj Kumar Sharma, Sub Divisional Police Officer (SDPO), Sadar Purnea.

Sharma said a 16-year-old boy from the family, who was away at a relative’s house during the attack, first informed police. “He has alleged the involvement of the entire village and identified four main accused, of whom three have been arrested,” he said.

He said a special team has been formed to nab the remaining suspects. “Four names are mentioned in the FIR, three have been arrested, but indications are emerging that the entire village may have been involved. Raids are ongoing to apprehend the remaining accused and we are also investigating to check for any further involvements,” Sharma said.

The SDPO said that preliminary investigations suggest that the attack may have been triggered by a dispute over “jhaad-phook” (traditional healing practices). “Prima facie, it appears that the incident was triggered by a dispute over traditional healing practices or alleged witchcraft. The family of Babu Lal Oraon, who practised such rituals, is believed to have been targeted after a child from Ramdev Oraon’s family died three days ago and another fell ill. It appears that this may have led to the attack,” Sharma said.

He said the exact circumstances of the deaths are still being determined.

Following the incident, RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav took to X to target the Nitish Kumar-led NDA government. “In Purnia, five members of the same family were burned alive and killed. Due to the DK Tax, lawlessness in Bihar is at its peak, the DGP/Chief Secretary are helpless, and law and order has collapsed,” he said in a post.

“Day before yesterday in Siwan, three people were killed in a massacre. In recent days, three were killed in Buxar. In Bhojpur, three people were massacred. Criminals are on alert mode and the chief minister is unconscious! DK is enjoying it. Because DK is the real boss,” he said, without explaining the reference to “DK”.

Independent Lok Sabha MP from Purnea, Rajesh Ranjan, said in a post on X: “I am ashamed. The world has reached Mars and our people are indulging in massacres on the suspicion of witchcraft!”

Condemning the incident, Bihar Congress chief Rajesh Kumar said, “I must say that people, especially poor, Dalits and socially marginalised are not safe in the state. This is called jungle-raj.