A belief in witches and the evils purportedly wrought by them – from famine to sporting failure – is widespread among tribal communities in the country’s impoverished rural hinterland.
It is estimated that 750 people, mostly elderly women, have been killed in witch-hunts in the states of Assam and West Bengal since 2003.
Also: Some academics claim that witch-hunts are an economic phenomenon.
Related: 16-year-old girl was beaten to death by villagers.
