MANGALORE: In a fresh vigilante group attack, a Muslim woman was assaulted at Karmar in Bajpe, near here, allegedly by a fringe mob.

Deeba Algani, 23, was attacked because she was travelling in a car with a person from another community. Her mother, Zubeida , is an independent member of the Padubidri gram panchayat. Deeba, who was admitted to Government Wenlock Hospital here, told TOI she was beaten up by a mob of 20 persons on Wednesday night.

"The mob waylaid our car, pushed us out and assaulted us. They asked me why I was travelling with a Hindu. I heard the miscreants talking over phone in the Beary language and referring to KFD (Karnataka Forum for Dignity). I can identify those who assaulted us," she added.

Her mother, Zubeida alleged that the group snatched her cellphone and robbed her of Rs 3.07 lakh. "I had taken a house on lease at Bajpe from realtor Dharma a week ago. I had given my daughter Rs 3 lakh to pay Dharma. Deeba had another Rs 7,000 in her purse," she said.

"We were in Mangalore city to purchase home appliances for our new house. Since there were a lot of appliances in my car, I asked Deeba to return with Dharma in his car. Both cars started together, but our car moved ahead. Miscreants waylaid their car and attacked them," Zubeida said.

Zubeida was elected to the gram panchayat with BJP's support. Dharma was admitted to a private hospital in the city. Bajpe police have registered a case.

Popular Front of India (PFI) denied any role in the incident. Its district secretary Abdul Majeed said: "The issue has been brought to our notice. We're inquiring into it."