Bihar Witchcraft Massacre: Mob Torches Tribal Family, Police Arrest Only Three as Entire Village Flees in Fear

In a shocking act of mob violence, a tribal family of five was brutally burned alive in Bihar’s Purnia district after their neighbors accused them of witchcraft. The horrifying incident took place Sunday night in Tetgama village, just 15 km from Purnia town, where the Oraon and other tribal communities live.

‘Entire village ganged up to finish a family’: Police arrest three of 23 named in FIR for Bihar 'witchcraft' murders

Village Turns Into Mob—Family Trapped and Burned Alive

According to police, the entire village appeared to have “ganged up” against daily wage laborer Babulal Oraon (65), his wife Sita Devi (60) (accused of practicing witchcraft), their son Manjeet Kumar (25), daughter-in-law Rani Devi (22), and Babulal’s mother Kato Devi (82). The mob, fueled by superstition and panic after a series of child deaths in the village, mercilessly attacked and torched the family’s house. Only one boy managed to escape.

Three Arrested, Hundreds Still on the Run

So far, police have arrested just three suspects—Mukul Oraon, Chhotu Oraon, and Sanaullah—out of 23 named in the FIR. The case also mentions a mob of around 150 unidentified villagers, most of whom have since fled, leaving the village eerily deserted.

the village lies abandoned with police patrolling the area along with teams from the dog squad. 

Superstition Turns Deadly: The Trigger Behind the Massacre

Villagers blamed Sita Devi for the recent deaths of at least five children in the last 18 months, including one just last week. “Eighteen families targeted three of ours with sticks and then set our homes on fire,” said Jitendra Oraon, the victim’s brother, describing how no one from nearby villages intervened.

Bodies Secretly Removed—A Chilling Cover-Up

Eyewitnesses allege that Sanaullah, one of the accused, provided his tractor to help remove the victims’ bodies for a payment of Rs 40,000. By the time outsiders arrived, the bodies had already been dumped in a field 2 km away, where police recovered them the next day.

Officials Blame Superstition and Ignorance

Purnia District Magistrate Anshul Kumar called the massacre “the result of deep-rooted superstition,” highlighting the urgent need for education and awareness in tribal areas. Police believe the attack was triggered by a recent child’s death and illness in the village, sparking rumors of black magic.