Woman suspected of child theft in Paradip, detained by police

Chaos prevailed in Biswali village under Paradip Lock police station in Jagatsinghpur district on Friday evening when several locals apprehended an unidentified woman on suspicion of child theft. The woman was detained and questioned by locals regarding her identity before police arrived and carried over the probe.

Sources reported that the woman was initially spotted on the village premises about four days back. According to locals, she seemed to be mentally unstable and was seen sitting near the Tarini Chhak area for the last several days.

Background of the matter:

Additional reports also mentioned that locals had initially provided her with food and water out of sympathy after she failed to remember her identity or the place she had come from, following which they did not pay much attention to her presence.

However, on Thursday evening, she was allegedly seen trying to take a small child with her, sparking suspicions. As per reports, several locals gheraoed the woman and confronted her, demanding immediate disclosure of her identity and motive.

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Police action:

Following this, Paradip Lock police station was informed after which authorities took her in for an interrogation. Till the last reports, police have yet to disclose the identity of the woman or offer any comments regarding the incident.

Recent child theft case:

The incident comes close after a woman was caught red-handed in Baripada of Mayurbhanj district when trying to steal two newborn babies from the maternity ward of the district hospital.

Reports had then stated that the woman displayed suspicious behaviour prompting the attendants to detain and later hand her over to the police.