Mob Justice Gone Wrong: Unfounded Child Lifting Suspicions Lead to Tragedy

In Odisha's Mayurbhanj district, 16 arrests were made due to a mob lynching incident driven by false child-lifting suspicions. A mentally challenged man was killed, and two others were attacked. Police are urging citizens against taking the law into their own hands amid these unfounded fears.

A wave of panic-driven violence swept through Odisha's Mayurbhanj district, resulting in 16 arrests connected to a deadly mob lynching incident. The chaos, fuelled by ungrounded fears of child-lifting, claimed the life of a mentally challenged man while injuring two others.

The tragic event unfolded in the Morada Police Station area when a mob, under the suspicion of child theft, fatally assaulted a man on Monday. Despite intervention by law enforcement, the victim succumbed to his injuries after being rushed to a hospital.

Mayurbhanj SP Varun Guntupalli confirmed ongoing investigations, with 15 individuals detained for questioning. In a plea to the public, Guntupalli emphasized the absence of any child-stealing incidents, cautioning against vigilantism and urging the populace to report any suspicious activities to police authorities.

(With inputs from agencies.)