The Congress party has strongly criticised the NDA government in Bihar after five members of a family were brutally killed in Purnea district on suspicion of practising witchcraft.
The victims—three women and two men—were allegedly killed and their bodies burnt earlier this month in the Tetma locality, under the Mufassil police station. A police special investigation team (SIT) has been formed to track down the accused, who are on the run.
Vikrant Bhuria, President of the All India Adivasi Congress, visited the victims’ family and said,“The accused were drunk. This is the condition in a state where liquor is banned. People in Bihar aren’t getting water or security, but liquor is easily available.”
He described the situation as jungle raj and gundaraj, accusing the NDA government of turning Bihar into a crime capital.
“Is there no value in the lives of tribals in this country?” Bhuria asked. “Why don’t criminals fear the police or government anymore?”
Bhuria said he arranged a phone call between Congress leader Rahul Gandhi and the grieving family.
“On Rahul Gandhi ji’s instructions, we went to Purnea. The entire village was deserted. There is an atmosphere of fear. He himself spoke with the victim’s family.”
The Congress has demanded a fast-track trial for the accused, stricter laws against superstition and mob lynching, and stronger enforcement of the liquor ban.
“Why is superstition being promoted under BJP rule?” Bhuria asked. “Why are education and safety not priorities for this government?”
The party has also questioned Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar’s silence on the matter.
