Rayagada: A mob attacked two NGO workers, including a woman, in Odisha’s Rayagada district, assuming them to be members of a child-lifting gang, police said Friday.
According to the police, the victims, who were residents of outside Odisha, were travelling from Daringbadi to Thuamul Rampur block in Kalahandi, a neighbouring district of Rayagada.
While passing through Kandulguda village under Dhamunipanga panchayat under Kalyansinghpur police station on the night of June 16, they reportedly stopped to ask villagers for directions, the police said.
The two victims interacted with village children and allegedly distributed biscuits. Their activities reportedly triggered suspicion among some villagers, who spread rumours that they were child kidnappers. Soon, a crowd gathered and allegedly assaulted the duo, the police said.
“After getting information, our officers rushed to the spot, rescued the two victims and immediately admitted them to a local hospital. Subsequently, they were shifted to Rayagada district headquarters hospital and later discharged,” Rayagada SP Raj Prasad told PTI over the phone.
The police immediately swung into action and arrested 21 people involved in the assault case, he said.
“Further investigation is ongoing, and all other persons involved in the crime will not be spared,” the SP said.
The two victims have been discharged from hospital and are now doing fine, he added.