In a remote Indian village, a horrific act of violence has left a community shattered. Five members of a single family were brutally killed by a mob, accused of practicing witchcraft—a tragedy that exposes the deep-rooted superstitions plaguing some of the country’s marginalized communities.
The attack took place in Tetgama, a small tribal village in Bihar, where neighbors turned against neighbors in a frenzy of fear and suspicion. Among the victims was 71-year-old Kato Oraon, a widow, along with her son Babulal, his wife Sita, their son Manjit, and daughter-in-law Rani. Only one teenager survived, escaping the mob’s wrath by hiding in the darkness as his family was beaten, dragged away, and set ablaze.
A Night of Terror
According to witnesses, the violence erupted after a local man, Ramdev Oraon, blamed Kato and her family for the death of his son, claiming they had used witchcraft. When Ramdev’s nephew fell ill days later, he brought the boy to the family’s home, demanding they “cure” him. A village exorcist allegedly declared Kato and Sita witches, sealing their fate.
As the mob grew, the family pleaded for mercy, but their cries were ignored. Babulal and Manjit were attacked when they tried to intervene, while Rani was beaten as she shielded her husband. Sita, who had been visiting her mother, was summoned back—only to meet the same brutal end.
The victims were reportedly tied up, dragged to a nearby pond, doused in petrol, and burned. Some reports suggest they were still alive when set on fire, though authorities say the autopsy findings remain inconclusive.
A Community in Shock
In the aftermath, nearly all of Tetgama’s residents fled, leaving behind locked or hastily abandoned homes. Only four of Kato’s sons and their families remain, living in fear.
Police have arrested four suspects, including the exorcist, while the alleged ringleader, Ramdev, remains at large. Authorities admit the response was delayed—the attack happened just 7 kilometers from a police station, yet officers arrived 11 hours later.
A Wider Problem
This tragedy is not an isolated incident. Between 2000 and 2016, over 2,500 people—mostly women—were killed in India on suspicion of witchcraft. In impoverished tribal areas, superstition often overrides reason, with exorcists sometimes holding more sway than doctors.
Local officials acknowledge the lack of education in Tetgama, where children often skip school to work in brick kilns. With no prior witchcraft-related crimes recorded in the area, the attack has left even seasoned authorities stunned.
For the survivors, the trauma lingers. The teenage witness, now in protective custody, is receiving counseling. His brothers, who were away working during the attack, are staying with relatives, struggling to comprehend how their village turned so violently against their own.
As investigations continue, the case serves as a grim reminder of how fear and ignorance can tear communities apart—leaving scars that may never fully heal.
