Sambalpur, June 23 (UDN): Three persons have been detained in connection with the assault of a youth from Kerala who was allegedly attacked by a mob in Sambalpur city on suspicion of being a child lifter, police said on Monday.
According to police, a case was registered at Khetrajpur police station based on a complaint filed by ASI Surya Narayan Das. Sambalpur Additional SP Ajay Kumar Mishra confirmed that three individuals have been detained after being identified through CCTV footage and viral video clips of the incident.
The victim, identified as Vishnu Shibu from Kerala, was working as a labourer under a contractor in Bargarh district. Police said he had recently left his job and had come to Sambalpur in search of work when the incident occurred at Dhobapada Square.
Mishra stated that some locals allegedly assaulted him after suspecting him of involvement in criminal activity linked to child lifting rumours. He added that a language barrier may have further escalated the misunderstanding, as the youth was unable to communicate with the crowd.
The victim was rescued by police and taken to hospital for medical examination. Officials said he did not suffer any major injuries and was later sent back to his native place after receiving primary treatment.
Police added that the detained persons were identified based on video footage circulating on social media and CCTV recordings from the area. A detailed investigation is underway to identify others involved in the incident.
The video of the assault had gone viral on social media, showing a group of youths attacking the labourer while bystanders attempted to check his belongings.
The incident comes days after a similar case in Rayagada district, where two women from Delhi were allegedly assaulted on suspicion of being child lifters, prompting renewed concern over the spread of rumours leading to mob violence in the state.
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