Balasore: Despite repeated appeals and advisory issued by Odisha police, a complete check on incidents of assault and violence over child theft suspicion has not been possible yet.
In a fresh incident, locals thrashed a man after suspecting him to be a child-lifter at Hashimpur village of Balasore.
The incident occurred when the victim identified as Sarat Giri, a resident of Khalban village had gone to the village to watch a Jatra.
"When I inquired about the Jatra, some locals caught me thrashed me throughout the night," said Giri.
After getting information about the incident, Baliapal police rescued Giri and admitted him into a hospital.
Recently, an advisory was issued by Odisha Police DG, RP Sharma to check mob attacks on innocent people in several parts of the State over child-theft suspicion.
Police have identified a few persons who are spreading the rumours on social media and stringent action will be taken against them, Sharma had said.
On May 29, Ambadala police had arrested 16 people of Peruguda village in Rayagada for thrashing two persons on suspicion of being child lifters on May 27.
Three other persons of Simulia area in Balasore were also arrested on May 28 late for allegedly stripping and beating up a woman in full public glare suspecting her to be a ‘child-lifter’.