KalingaTV News Network

Rayagada: While incidents of mob justice over child theft rumour continues to hit several parts of the state, police took prompt action in the district in a similar case last night and arrested at least 16 persons from Peruguda village under Ambadola police limits on Tuesday.

Police said, over hundred people from Peruguda village intercepted a Mahindra Bolero which was carrying a teacher and his businessman friend from Belghar area of Kandhamal district at around 9.30 PM last night over child-lifter suspicion. The duo was on a visit to the village in some work. The villagers thrashed them brutally after dragging out of their vehicle and injured critically.

The duo was rescued from the clutches of the angry villagers and rushed to Ambadola Hospital by some commuters who were passing through the route later in the night.

The victims’ families lodged separate cases against the attackers at Ambadola Police Station this morning following which the arrests were made.

The held persons have been charged under Sections 147,148,341,323,325,307,379,427 and 149 of IPC and forwarded to court.