Ranchi, India - Three members of a family, including two women, were axed to death in a Jharkhand village after they were branded witches and held responsible for the death of a youth one year ago.
Police said Poti Horo (60), his wife Nandi Bodra (55) and their unmarried daughter Chandu Horo (35) were killed in their village Taerabera, about 40 km from Ranchi, Tuesday.
Two men Uday Horo and his son Birsa Horo have surrendered to the police and confessed their crime.
Officials said one of Uday Horo's son had died last year in March. When Uday approached the witch doctor to know the cause of the death he was told that it was due to black magic practised by Poti Horo and his family.
So, Uday and Birsa Tuesday barged into Poti's house and axed the three to death. After killing them, Uday informed the villagers about the crime and surrendered before police.
In recent years, more than 600 people, mostly women, have been killed in Jharkhand after being branded witches.