What Led to the Tragic Death of Five Family Members in Purnea?
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Synopsis
In a heart-wrenching incident in Purnea, Bihar, five family members lost their lives due to violent accusations of witchcraft. This tragic event brings to light the dangers of superstition and the urgent need for awareness and education in rural communities.
Key Takeaways
- Five family members lost their lives due to witchcraft accusations.
- The incident highlights the dangers of superstition in rural areas.
- Police are conducting an investigation and have made an arrest.
- The community remains traumatized and largely deserted.
- Urgent need for awareness and education to prevent such tragedies.
Patna, July 7 (NationPress) In a shocking incident, five members of a family were tragically killed in the Purnea district of Bihar after a group of villagers accused them of witchcraft, according to police reports on Monday.
The deceased, identified as Babulal Oraon, Sita Devi, Manjeet Oraon, Rania Devi, and Tapto Mosmat, were blamed by the local community for a series of recent fatalities in Tetgama village, which escalated into a violent confrontation.
Authorities discovered the bodies of four victims near a pond on Sunday. A child survivor from the family revealed to police that all villagers participated in the brutal assault that resulted in the deaths of five individuals.
The remains were found completely charred. The Purnea police have recovered the bodies and are conducting post-mortem examinations.
This tragic event, occurring in a tribal settlement, was reportedly instigated when the son of local resident Ramdev Oraon died following traditional healing rituals known as jhaar-phoonk.
Another child from the same family had also fallen ill, intensifying the villagers' suspicions.
No formal complaint (FIR) has been filed yet, as the child survivor is currently traumatized and unable to provide a detailed account.
Police teams, accompanied by a dog squad, are actively patrolling the village, which remains largely abandoned after the incident.
Purnea Superintendent of Police Sweety Sehrawat confirmed that the violence was linked to superstitions surrounding jhaar-phoonk and tantra-mantra practices.
“The victims were beaten by villagers over suspicions of witchcraft,” Sehrawat stated.
Senior police official Pankaj Kumar Sharma mentioned that one individual, Nakul Kumar, has been arrested for allegedly inciting the villagers during the assault.
Meanwhile, Leader of Opposition Tejashwi Yadav criticized the Nitish Kumar-led government regarding the incident, posting on X: “Just two days ago, three people were murdered in Siwan. Recently, three individuals were killed in Buxar and three more in Bhojpur. Now, five family members lost their lives in Purnea. Criminals are active while the Chief Minister remains oblivious.”
Point of View
It is imperative to approach this tragic incident with sensitivity and a commitment to uncovering the underlying societal issues. This event highlights the dangerous intersection of superstition and violence, necessitating urgent discussions on education and community awareness to prevent such tragedies in the future.
NationPress
20/07/2025
Frequently Asked Questions
What triggered the violent incident in Purnea?
The violent incident was triggered by villagers accusing a family of witchcraft following a series of deaths in the village.
How many family members were killed?
Five members of the family were brutally killed in the attack.
What actions have the police taken?
The police have recovered the bodies, conducted post-mortems, and are patrolling the village, with one individual arrested for inciting the violence.
Is there a formal complaint filed?
No formal complaint has been registered yet due to the trauma experienced by the child survivor.
What role do superstitions play in this incident?
Superstitions surrounding witchcraft and traditional healing practices were central to the violence, as villagers sought to blame the family for recent deaths.
