Woman, 1-year-old boy burnt to death by mob over ‘witchcraft’ rumours; husband seriously injured

JAMSHEDPUR: A 31-year-old woman and her one-year-old boy were allegedly burnt to death by a group of persons at Kalaiya village under the Kumardungi police station limits of West Singhbhum on suspicion of practicing witchcraft late on Tuesday.

The deceased woman’s husband sustained burn injuries. Four assailants have been arrested and hunt is on for three more, said police.


The arrested were identified as Rasika Birua (29), Jena Birua (19), Sona Birua (36), and Delka Sinku (20), police added.

Kolhan Sinku (40), in his police complaint, alleged that the villagers reached his house on Tuesday night and called out for him and his wife, Jyoti. When the couple came out, the crowd hurled abuses at them while accusing the Jyoti of practicing witchcraft.

While Kolhan was trying to pacify the crowd, urging them to return home and come the next morning so that the matter could be resolved at the village panchayat in the presence of the village munda, the mob did not relent.

Suddenly, one of the villagers, who was armed with a gallon filled with petrol, ran towards the couple, poured the petrol on them and lit a fire amidst the prevailing commotion. Kolhan and Jyoti sustained burn injuries, while the baby, who was in the arms of the woman, was also engulfed in flames. The mother and the child succumbed to the burn injuries on the spot, while Kolhan ran away and tore off his clothes, the survivor further alleged.

Kolhan said he reportedly reached the police station to seek help, but the gates were closed, forcing him to take shelter at an acquaintance’s house for the night. He again turned up at the police station on Wednesday morning to lodge the complaint.

Preliminary investigation revealed that a relative of Kolhan had died of prolonged illness last week and the family members accused Jyoti. Also, rumour was circulating in the village over the past few days that Jyoti was practicing witchcraft, police said.

West Singhbhum SP Amit Renu said, “Four men of the village have been apprehended from their respective homes. Raids are under way to arrest three more accused. Injured Kolhan is undergoing treatment at the district hospital.”

“The injured Kolhan Sinku has sustained over 60% burn injuries. He will be shifted to MGMMCH for further treatment,” said civil surgeon and Chaibasa sadar hospital in-charge, Dr Bharti Mizn.

Refuting the allegations that the gates of the police station were locked at night, the SP added, “Police got the information in the morning and a team rushed to the crime spot.”