Purnea, Bihar: In a disturbing case of alleged witch-hunting, five members of a family were killed and their bodies burnt in Bihar’s Purnea district, police said on Monday.

The incident took place in Tetma village on Sunday night. Police suspect the victims were murdered on suspicion of practising witchcraft, and then their bodies were set on fire in a nearby bush.

“Preliminary investigation suggests that five members of a family in Tetma village were first murdered on suspicion of practising witchcraft. It appears that the accused then burnt their bodies in a bush. The incident took place on Sunday night,” said DIG (Purnea) Pramod Kumar Mandal.

Two suspects have been arrested, and a search is on for others involved. According to officials, the accused are believed to be from the same extended family as the victims.

Senior officers, forensic teams, and a dog squad have been deployed at the scene to assist in the investigation.