A mob of around 300 people burned down at least three houses belonging to Muslims in Doodhi Bhitta village in the Purnia District in India’s Bihar State on 13 January. 

CSW sources report that the attack was in response to the elopement of a Muslim man from the village with a Hindu woman from Bardela village, also in Purnia District, on 31 December. 

The woman's family had filed an accusation of kidnapping against the man at the Dhamdaha police station, and on 7 January the police found the couple and brought them to court, where the magistrate recorded a statement from the woman in which she declared that she went with the man with mutual consent.

The court subsequently declared that both of them were adults and could legally live together. However, less than a week later the groom's family home and those of two of his uncles were vandalised. 

A video of the attacks has been in circulation on social media. Fire rescue services and police officials were unable to salvage anything from the attacked properties as the homes were burnt to ashes. In addition, at least 500,000 rupees (approximately GBP 4,700) were looted from the homes.

The Dhamdaha Station House Officer has said that a case will be registered based on the complaints of the affected. 

CSW’s Founder President Mervyn Thomas said: ‘CSW extends our condolences to Muslims in Doodhi Bhitta village who have been rendered homeless by these attacks. We are highly concerned at the alarming frequency with which religious minorities in India are attacked with apparent impunity, and we call on the authorities to ensure that all those responsible for this latest incident are brought swiftly and fully to justice.’