National

Haunted By Belief: Witchcraft In Bihar

In Bihar's villages, superstition still kills: a woman fights for her life after accusations of witchcraft in Kajra, while in Tetgama, five lives were lost to the fear of witchcraft. Both incidents occurred in the Purnea district in July 2025.

Bihar witchcraft killing
Witchcraft In Bihar | Photo: Tribhuvan Tiwari

A relative of a woman killed in July 2025 over witchcraft allegations holds her photograph with two others. Tetgama village, Purnea, Bihar.

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Witchcraft In Bihar
Bihar witchcraft killing | Photo: Tribhuvan Tiwari

A large part of Tetgama has fallen empty from fear of arrests since the lethal attack on five locals.

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Bihar witchcraft killing
Witchcraft In Bihar | Photo: Tribhuvan Tiwari

An empty street in Tetgama, a week after the killings.

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Witchcraft In Bihar
Bihar witchcraft killing | Photo: Tribhuvan Tiwari

Prakash Kumar Yadav, from the local animal husbandry wing of Bihar government, tends to cattle abandoned by fleeing Tetgama residents.

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Bihar witchcraft killing
Witchcraft In Bihar | Photo: Tribhuvan Tiwari

Jagdish (L) and Arjun Oraon, brothers, are survivors of the attack on their family, allegedly by local residents.

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Witchcraft In Bihar
Bihar witchcraft killing | Photo: Tribhuvan Tiwari

Kajra village, Purnea, Bihar: A woman accused of witchcraft fears for her life and safety. July 2025.

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Bihar witchcraft killing
Witchcraft In Bihar | Photo: Tribhuvan Tiwari

Irshad, a young police officer, stands guard at Tetgama, at the site of the brutal attack on five residents.

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Witchcraft In Bihar
Bihar witchcraft killing | Photo: Tribhuvan Tiwari

At the temple in the abandoned house of Nakul Oraon, the adivasi pradhan of Tetgama, who is among the key accused in the killing of five of a tribal family. July 2025.

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Bihar witchcraft killing
Witchcraft In Bihar | Photo: Tribhuvan Tiwari

Tetgama: Women from the Oraon tribe say they know nothing about the gruesome killing of their community members a few metres away from their homes. Megha Kumari (orange saree), Chandi Kumari (brick red saree), Lali Kumari (green saree), Shobha Kumari (holding baby).

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