A Brutal Night of Horror in Tetgama Village
In the quiet village of Tetgama, located in Bihar state’s Purnea district, a horrific tragedy unfolded on the night of July 6, 2025. Five members of a single family, including a 71-year-old widow named Kato Oraon, were brutally murdered by a mob over accusations of practicing witchcraft. The attackers, reportedly numbering in the dozens, gathered outside the family’s home around 10 p.m., and by dawn, the victims had been hacked to death and their bodies burned.
Police recovered the charred remains of the family the following evening, confirming the gruesome nature of the attack. Three women were among the victims, highlighting the vulnerability of certain groups to such accusations. Pramod Kumar Mandal, Deputy Inspector General of Purnea district, stated, 'We have arrested three accused so far,' indicating the beginning of an investigation into this shocking act of violence.
Deep-Rooted Superstitions and a History of Violence
The Tetgama murders are not an isolated incident in India, where superstition and belief in witchcraft remain widespread, particularly among disadvantaged tribal communities. According to data from the National Crime Records Bureau, more than 2,500 people, mostly women, were killed on suspicion of witchcraft between 2000 and 2016. Campaigners note that these beliefs often lead to deadly consequences for those accused, with entire families sometimes targeted, as seen in this case.
Survivors of the Tetgama tragedy, including a woman identified as Manisha Devi (name changed), are struggling to cope with the loss. For her, that night remains the darkest of her life, as she witnessed the mob’s unrelenting violence against her relatives. The scale of this particular incident—five family members killed together—has drawn significant attention to the persistent issue of witchcraft-related violence in rural areas.
The cultural and social factors contributing to such acts are complex. Many in these communities attribute unexplained illnesses or deaths, like that of a local boy in Tetgama, to supernatural causes, often pointing fingers at vulnerable individuals or families. This incident underscores the urgent need for education and awareness to combat these dangerous superstitions.
Community Impact and Calls for Action
The aftermath of the murders has left the Tetgama village community in ruins, grappling with fear and grief. Survivors and neighbors are still trying to come to terms with the brutality of the attack, while authorities work to bring justice to those responsible. The arrest of three suspects is a start, but many believe deeper systemic change is necessary to prevent future tragedies.
Campaigners and activists are renewing calls for stronger laws and interventions to protect those accused of witchcraft. They argue that without addressing the root causes—poverty, lack of education, and entrenched superstitions—such violence will continue to plague rural India. The Tetgama murders serve as a grim reminder of the challenges faced by marginalized communities and the urgent need for societal reform.