A woman has been burnt alive by her neighbors on charge of practicing witchcraft on February 17.

Dhegani Mahato, 40, of Madi in Bhagauda2 was killed at around 6 am while she heading towards a cow shed nearby home, locals said. Family of her neighbor Bikram Mahato assaulted her and set her on fire, Dhegani's father in law Dhidari Mahato said. "When I tried to rescue her, they chased me away threatening to kill me," he said. He later called the locals for help. The locals also said that they were threatened when they tried to intervene. They informed that they had called up police.

Meanwhile, local women have of Madi have shut down Basantpur bazaar of Madi protesting the incident. Police resorted to firing two tear gas shells when they tried to picket the police station demanding action against the culprits.

Husband of the deceased had died of cancer five years ago. She has a 10-year-old son and 8-year-old daughter.