In Bihar, neighbours lynch woman after accusing her of witchcraft over childs illness
The incident reportedly took place in Nawada's Rajauli area, with two related families reportedly having simmering tensions there. According to the victim's family, a child from the neighbouring family became sick, and it triggered the dispute.
New Delhi: A woman has reportedly fallen victim to a witch-hunt in Bihar's Nawada district and has been beaten to death. According to a report by NDTV, the victim was 35-year-old Kiran Devi. Members of a neighbouring family allegedly attacked her, blaming her for a child’s illness and accusing her of practising witchcraft.
How did the incident occur?
The incident reportedly took place in Nawada's Rajauli area, with two related families reportedly having simmering tensions there. According to the victim's family, a child from the neighbouring family became sick, and it triggered the dispute.
The child was taken to a doctor who reportedly diagnosed the child with a brain-related condition. But suspicion and rumours circulated that Kiran Devi was a witch. According to the victim's relatives, Mukesh Chaudhary, Mahendra Chaudhary, Natru Chaudhary and Shobha Devi, from the neighbouring family, attacked Kiran Devi with bricks, stones and iron rods. They also assaulted her younger co-sister-in-law, Lalita Devi, and another elder co-sister-in-law.
Kiran Devi succumbs to injuries
The injured women were taken to a sub-divisional hospital, from where they were taken to a district hospital. Kiran Devi succumbed to her injuries while being taken to the district hospital. She has two sons and two daughters. The neighbours accused Kiran Devi of being a witch despite a medical explanation of the child's illness. Blinded by superstition and anger, they attacked the woman, leading to her death. Rajauli station house officer Ranjit Kumar said, "Three persons have been taken into custody for questioning."