Five women killed in India by villagers suspecting witchcraft | World news | The Guardian

Five women have been killed in eastern India by villagers who believed they were witches, according to local officials.

The killings took place in a rural community in the state of Jharkhand, where there are frequent reports of fatal attacks on women who locals say have cast curses that are blamed for poor crops, illness or misfortune. The killings often disguise family feuds or land disputes.

In the latest incident villagers with sticks and knives attacked the five women on Friday night in the town of Kanjia, police officials said.

“The women were dragged out of their home while asleep and beaten to death by the villagers suspecting them to be witches … some were even stoned to death,” said Jharkhand police spokesperson SN Pradhan.

Around 50 villagers were arrested, Pradhan said, adding: “The entire village was involved in the crime.”

Police said the attackers packed the victims’ bodies in sacks and discarded them outside the village boundary, according to witnesses.

Five women killed in India by villagers suspecting witchcraft | World news | The Guardian

See also:

India police seek arrest of 'village quack' for fatal witch hunt

Jharkhand Women Accused of Witchcraft Were Killed After Open Court in Village: Police