Mob Violence Surges in Madhya Pradesh Over Child-Lifting Rumours
A shocking video from Indore has brought to light a deeply concerning rise in mob violence across Madhya Pradesh, driven entirely by unsubstantiated rumours of child-lifting. This disturbing trend has seen innocent individuals brutally attacked in multiple districts, with no evidence linking them to any criminal activity.
Disturbing Case of Missing Woman with Mental Health Issues
The viral video shows a woman being assaulted in the Bhanwarkuan area of Indore. She was later identified as Rekha Devi, a 45-year-old woman from Meerut who has been missing for over a year and suffers from mental health issues. Her daughter managed to trace her through the video footage, leading police to confirm that Rekha had been questioned and released, as she was not involved in any crime. Tragically, she has since gone missing again.
Pattern of Panic-Driven Attacks Across Districts
Rekha's case is not isolated but part of a wider, alarming pattern of panic-driven attacks in Indore and neighbouring districts. Strangers are being confronted and beaten based solely on suspicion of being child-lifters. Police authorities have stated emphatically that none of the recent cases involved any actual kidnapping incidents.
Multiple incidents highlight this dangerous trend:
- In Ratlam, six men returning from a temple were dragged out of their car and assaulted by villagers when they stopped at a roadside dhaba.
- In Indore's MIG area, a 34-year-old researcher was surrounded, beaten, and filmed by a group of women who falsely accused her of child-lifting.
- In Dhar district, five itinerant workers from Rajasthan narrowly escaped after being attacked over similar rumours.
Police Response and Arrests for Rumour-Mongering
Law enforcement has taken action against those spreading false information. Dewas police arrested two men for disseminating false messages and inciting attacks on passersby. Senior officers have issued stern warnings, noting that rumours circulating on WhatsApp and local networks are directly triggering fear and mob violence.
Indore police commissioner Santosh Kumar Singh stated clearly, "There is no confirmed child abduction gang operating in Indore or nearby districts. People must not act on rumours or take the law into their own hands."
Urgent Public Appeal from Authorities
Police have urgently appealed to citizens to report suspicious activity through proper channels instead of confronting individuals directly. They stress that both rumour-mongering and mob assault are serious criminal offences. This situation underscores the critical need for public vigilance against misinformation and the importance of relying on verified information from authorities to prevent further violence against innocent people.
