Dhenkanal: A mentally-challenged youth was reportedly roughed up by locals on suspicion of being a child lifter at Kantapal village under Kankadahada police limits in Dhenkanal district on Monday.

As per reports, the youth a resident of nearby Jhatikipasi village was loitering in Kantapal village on Monday at around 10 am. Finding his movements suspicious, some locals intercepted him and started questioning. They grew more suspicious when instead of answering them, the terrified youth tried to escape their clutches and run away. The mob chased him and thrashed the youth black and blue before dragging him to the Kankadahad police.

He had come looking for his in-laws house. As he was untidily dressed, locals suspected him to be a child abductor and started abusing him. Since he tried to run away out of fear, the villagers grew more suspicious and thrashed him —-IIC of Kankadahad police station, Subash Chandra Panda

“After interrogation, it was found that the youth is mentally challenged. He has been handed over to his family members,” added the IIC.

Earlier on Sunday, an unidentified man was mercilessly beaten by locals on suspicion of being a child lifter under Kaliari police station in Angul district.