Mob Violence Erupts in East Singhbhum Over Child-Lifting Suspicions
In the Ghatsila sub-division of East Singhbhum district, a disturbing wave of mob assaults targeting outsiders on suspicion of child lifting has prompted rural police to go on high alert. Over a span of just three days from February 14 to 16, four separate incidents of mob violence were reported across areas under the Chakulia, Shyamsundarpur, and Dumaria police stations, raising serious concerns about public safety and law enforcement in the region.
Recent Incidents Detail Victims and Assaults
On Sunday, February 16, two snake charmers, identified as Lahul Mandal and Minanur Mandal, both aged between 30 and 35 years and residents of North 24 Parganas district in West Bengal, were allegedly held hostage and brutally beaten by villagers at Chandanpur in Shyamsundarpur. According to Sunil Kumar Bhokta, officer-in-charge of Shyamsundarpur police station, the duo had come to the village on Shivratri to showcase their snake-charming skills. However, some locals suspected them of being child lifters, leading to the assault. Police swiftly intervened after receiving information and rescued the victims.
In a separate incident under the Dumaria police station limits, a middle-aged man, a small-time honey seller, was attacked by a mob on similar suspicions. He was detained and assaulted by villagers before police arrived to rescue him. His identity has not been disclosed by authorities. Notably, in both of these cases, no formal complaints have been lodged, complicating legal proceedings.
Additional Attacks on Vulnerable Individuals
Prior to these events, on February 13 and 14, two mentally challenged persons were assaulted by mobs at Lodhasuli village under Chakulia police station and Pitajodi village under Shyamsundarpur police station, again based on suspicions of child lifting. These incidents highlight a pattern of violence against vulnerable individuals, with police clarifying that no actual cases of child theft have been reported in the sub-division recently.
Police Response and Intensified Measures
The sudden spike in mob violence has led to intensified patrolling and awareness drives in rural areas. Ajit Kumar Kujjur, Sub-Divisional Police Officer (SDPO) of Ghatsila range, emphasized that while no police complaints have been filed in any of these cases, authorities are taking proactive steps. "Patrolling has been intensified and awareness campaigns are being conducted. Villagers are urged to inform police if they notice any suspicious movement. No one will be allowed to take the law into their own hands," he stated. The SDPO also chaired a meeting with officers-in-charge of various police stations to review the situation and coordinate efforts.
Historical Context of Mob Violence in the Region
This is not the first time the region has witnessed such mob violence. On February 22, 2025, two suspected thieves were lynched by an irate mob at Jodsa village under Chakulia police station after being caught allegedly stealing goats. The following day, two more suspected thieves were brutally beaten in Bota village under Boram police station limits on similar allegations. In 2017, a tragic incident occurred in Nagadih under Bagbera police station area, where four persons were lynched on suspicion of child lifting, underscoring a recurring issue in the area.
The ongoing situation underscores the need for enhanced community policing and public awareness to prevent such vigilante actions and protect innocent lives.
