Villagers Lynch 4 Elderly People For Practicing Witchcraft, 'Casting Spell' On Them

Four senior citizens were lynched by angry villagers on suspicion of them practicing witchcraft. The incident took place in the Indian state of Jharkhand on Sunday.

Police said the villagers dragged the victims out of their homes Sunday evening and attacked them with sticks and other weapons. All the four, including two women, died on the spot.

“During interrogation, villagers and family members of the slain said that all four elderly persons were involved in occultism. Besides, the evidence we collected from the place of the occurrence also indicates it is a case of witchcraft,” police said, adding, "Locals used to visit the deceased, who were suspected of performing witchcraft, with the belief that they could cure diseases.”

Officials had said Monday that though 10 villagers were detained for interrogation, no arrests were made as none of them were willing to cooperate with the investigation and help identify the perpetrators of the crime.

“It seems to be a case of superstition and witchcraft so there could be complicity of local villagers also. The villagers are also not supporting us in our investigation. Hence the delay in arresting. But soon we will be able to nab the culprits,” police said Monday.

However, following interrogation, 8 villagers, including two priests were arrested Tuesday. Police said the mob got angry after a villager died of ailment a week ago and some “miscreants spread the rumor that the man's death was caused due to alleged witchcraft" and that the victims had "cast a spell" on the village.

Premchand, chairman of Free Legal Air Committee, an organization that works toward eradication of witchcraft said, "Branding a person as 'witch' is one of the tactics to usurp his or her properties. Majority of the incidents occur in tribal areas as sorcery is widely practiced there.”