Bihar Witchcraft Killings: Five Burned Alive in Tribal Village.

July 9, 2025 | Purnia, Bihar

Bihar Witchcraft Killings Expose Deep-Rooted Superstition and Social Breakdown

Tribal Family Lynched in Horrific Night Attack

On July 7, a tribal village in Purnia district witnessed a brutal massacre rooted in superstition. Five members of a single family were burned alive in Tetgama village, allegedly accused of witchcraft. The attackers included over 150 residents who believed the family’s matriarch caused child deaths through black magic.

The attack began shortly after sunset. A mob stormed the home of Babulal Oraon, a 65-year-old daily wager, and dragged the entire household into the open. They assaulted each member with blunt weapons before torching their bodies along with their home.

Only one family member, a teenage boy who was away during the attack, survived to report the horror.

Bihar Witchcraft Killings Trigger Large-Scale Police Crackdown

Police responded immediately after the lone survivor alerted authorities. The Mufassil police station filed a First Information Report (FIR) naming 23 accused individuals. So far, police have arrested three suspects—Mukul Oraon, Chhotu Oraon, and Sanaullah.

According to SDPO Pankaj Kumar Sharma, villagers blamed the Oraon family for five unrelated child deaths over 18 months. The mob believed that Sita Devi, the family’s 60-year-old matriarch, was practicing black magic. This superstition became deadly when another child fell ill recently.

Sanaullah, a tractor owner, reportedly accepted ₹40,000 to help dispose of the bodies, transporting them two kilometers from the village. The bodies were discovered later in a charred, unrecognizable state.

Bihar Witchcraft Killings Fueled by Fear and Rumor

The Bihar witchcraft killings reveal the dangerous power of belief over fact in isolated tribal communities. Despite no proof, rumors about the family’s alleged “tantric powers” had been circulating for months. Locals believed their misfortunes and child deaths were linked to the family.

Jitendra Oraon, the brother of the deceased, stated that 18 families ganged up to “finish off” his relatives. Villagers used wooden sticks and rods to beat the family before setting their house ablaze.

No one from the neighborhood intervened. Instead, some reportedly helped drag the bodies to the tractor used for their disposal.

Authorities Vow Awareness Drives and Arrests

Speaking from the scene, District Magistrate Anshul Kumar emphasized the urgency of social education.

“This violence stems from deep-rooted superstition and lack of awareness,” he said.

He also confirmed plans to launch literacy drives and workshops in tribal areas. Meanwhile, the local administration has deployed security to prevent further unrest.

Senior officers promised that all 23 accused would be brought to justice. Villagers found assisting the crime or concealing evidence will also face charges.

Outrage Grows as Opposition Demands Accountability

Political reactions poured in from across Bihar and Jharkhand. The Jharkhand Congress announced a fact-finding team to visit Purnia. Meanwhile, human rights groups called the attack a “caste and superstition-driven lynching.”

The incident sparked online outrage, with hashtags like #PurniaMassacre and #JusticeForOraons trending. Citizens demanded strict laws against mob lynchings and better enforcement of existing anti-witchcraft legislation.

Critics say government inaction on education and healthcare in tribal belts enables such tragedies. They urge immediate reforms to protect vulnerable communities.

Justice Demands More Than Arrests

The Bihar witchcraft killings go beyond crime—they expose deep social decay. Without urgent intervention, such superstitions will continue claiming lives.

Arresting culprits won’t be enough. The government must address the root: ignorance, poverty, and isolation. Otherwise, another village may erupt in similar violence tomorrow.

Read more : Bharat Bandh Protest Disrupts Banking, Transport, and Mining.