FIVE MEMBERS of a household had been killed on suspicion of practising witchcraft in Purnea district of Bihar, police mentioned on Monday. Police mentioned the victims had been additionally burnt, they usually had been investigating whether or not they had been burnt alive or set on hearth after demise.
The incident occurred in Tetgama village, underneath the jurisdiction of Mufassil police station in Rajiganj, on Sunday night time. Whereas three individuals have been arrested, police mentioned many from the village could also be concerned.
“It’s an Oraon group village, with many of the villagers belonging to the tribal group. We acquired data that 5 members of a household had been assaulted and killed. Whether or not they had been burnt alive or set on hearth after demise is underneath investigation,” mentioned Pankaj Kumar Sharma, Sub Divisional Police Officer (SDPO), Sadar Purnea.
Sharma mentioned a 16-year-old boy from the household, who was away at a relative’s home throughout the assault, first knowledgeable police. “He has alleged the involvement of your entire village and recognized 4 most important accused, of whom three have been arrested,” he mentioned.
He mentioned a particular workforce has been shaped to nab the remaining suspects. “4 names are talked about within the FIR, three have been arrested, however indications are rising that your entire village could have been concerned. Raids are ongoing to apprehend the remaining accused and we’re additionally investigating to examine for any additional involvements,” Sharma mentioned.
The SDPO mentioned that preliminary investigations recommend that the assault could have been triggered by a dispute over “jhaad-phook” (conventional therapeutic practices). “Prima facie, it seems that the incident was triggered by a dispute over conventional therapeutic practices or alleged witchcraft. The household of Babu Lal Oraon, who practised such rituals, is believed to have been focused after a baby from Ramdev Oraon’s household died three days in the past and one other fell in poor health. It seems that this will have led to the assault,” Sharma mentioned.
He mentioned the precise circumstances of the deaths are nonetheless being decided.
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Following the incident, RJD chief Tejashwi Yadav took to X to focus on the Nitish Kumar-led NDA authorities. “In Purnia, 5 members of the identical household had been burned alive and killed. Because of the DK Tax, lawlessness in Bihar is at its peak, the DGP/Chief Secretary are helpless, and legislation and order has collapsed,” he mentioned in a submit.
“Day earlier than yesterday in Siwan, three folks had been killed in a bloodbath. In current days, three had been killed in Buxar. In Bhojpur, three folks had been massacred. Criminals are on alert mode and the chief minister is unconscious! DK is having fun with it. As a result of DK is the actual boss,” he mentioned, with out explaining the reference to “DK”.
Impartial Lok Sabha MP from Purnea, Rajesh Ranjan, mentioned in a submit on X: “I’m ashamed. The world has reached Mars and our individuals are indulging in massacres on the suspicion of witchcraft!”
Condemning the incident, Bihar Congress chief Rajesh Kumar mentioned, “I have to say that individuals, particularly poor, Dalits and socially marginalised are usually not protected within the state. That is referred to as jungle-raj.