Purnea, July 14 -- Congress leader and leader of the opposition in Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, spoke over the phone with the devastated family members of five victims brutally murdered in Purnea to offer condolences and assuring them of every possible support. The horrific incident, which has sent shockwaves across the state, involved the killing and burning of five members of a tribal family in Tetgama village, allegedly due to superstitions surrounding accusations of witchcraft on July 6. Gandhi's call, facilitated by Adivasi Congress President Vikrant Bhuria, who met the family in person, underscores his commitment to standing with marginalised communities in times of crisis. According to reports, a mob of over 50 people, driven by suspicions of witchcraft, mercilessly beat and burned five members of a single family, including three women and two men. The victims' bodies were later found near a riverbank, with police recovering four of the five bodies so far. The incident has been linked to deep-rooted superstitions, with allegations that the family was targeted after a woman was accused of being a "witch." Local police have detained two suspects, including a tantrik (occult practitioner) named Nakul Uraon, and seized a tractor used to transport the victims' bodies. Purnea superintendent of Police, Sweety Sehrawat, confirmed the arrest of three individuals who confessed to their involvement in the crime. The police are intensifying their investigation to identify other perpetrators, with reports suggesting that up to 250 villagers may have been complicit in the attack. The brutality of the killings-where the victims were beaten and then set ablaze-has sparked outrage and drawn attention to the persistent issue of superstition-driven violence in rural India. The massacre has not only shaken Purnea but also prompted strong reactions from political leaders across the spectrum. Purnia's Member of Parliament, Pappu Yadav, condemned the killings as "shameful" and demanded swift justice for the tribal family. Similarly, the Bihar State Scheduled Tribe Commission's Chairperson and Vice-Chairperson visited Tetgama to meet the victims' relatives, echoing calls for accountability. The eerie silence that has descended over the village reflects the fear and trauma gripping the community in the wake of this tragedy. Rahul Gandhi's outreach to the family aligns with his ongoing advocacy for marginalised groups, particularly Dalits and tribals, who face systemic violence and discrimination. In his conversation, Gandhi inquired about the family's well-being, sought details of the incident, and pledged to support their fight for justice. This is not the first time Gandhi has personally engaged with victims of violence; in December 2024, he met the family of a Dalit man killed in judicial custody in Parbhani, Maharashtra, alleging that the death was linked to caste-based oppression. Similarly, in April 2025, he visited the family of a Pahalgam terror attack victim in Kanpur, demanding strict action against perpetrators....