NGO Workers Assaulted in Odisha Over Child Kidnap Rumours
A video of the incident, which later surfaced on social media, showed the mob dragging the woman by her hair and tearing her clothes as onlookers watched
Bhubaneswar: A woman NGO worker was allegedly molested and assaulted along with her male colleague after villagers mistook them for child kidnappers in Odisha's Rayagada district, police said on Saturday. Sixteen people have been arrested in connection with the incident.
The attack occurred on June 16 at Kandulguda village under Kalyansinghpur block in Rayagada district when the two NGO workers, both from outside Odisha, were travelling from Daringbadi in Kandhamal district to Thuamul Rampur block in neighbouring Kalahandi district.
According to police, the duo stopped in the village to ask for directions. During their interaction with local residents, they reportedly spoke to some children and distributed biscuits, triggering suspicion among a section of villagers who had been influenced by rumours of child kidnappers operating in the area.
Within minutes, a mob gathered and accused the NGO workers of attempting to abduct children. The situation quickly spiralled out of control, with villagers allegedly assaulting the pair. The woman was reportedly molested, while both victims were physically attacked and publicly humiliated.
A video of the incident, which later surfaced on social media, showed the mob dragging the woman by her hair and tearing her clothes as onlookers watched. The footage sparked widespread outrage and prompted swift police action.
Police personnel rushed to the village after receiving information about the incident and rescued the victims. A case was registered and an investigation launched.
The Rayagada Superintendent of Police said that 16 people have so far been arrested for their alleged involvement in the mob violence. Efforts are underway to identify other individuals seen in the viral video, officials added.
The victims were provided medical assistance and counselling. Police have appealed to the public not to believe or spread unverified rumours, warning that misinformation often leads to incidents of mob vigilantism.
