Dhanbad’s battle against child-lifting hysteria took a violent turn Wednesday when an enraged mob at Nichani Bridge battered three women in East Busuriya, convinced they were kidnappers. Even as police repeatedly cautioned against rumors, the ugly specter of vigilantism reared its head.
The flashpoint erupted from a mere hunch that spread uncontrollably. A swarm of locals cornered the trio, subjecting them to a merciless beating with hands, feet, and hurled shoes. The women’s pleas drowned in the roar of the furious gathering.
On-site police intervention met fierce resistance, with the crowd assaulting the patrol car amid flying chappals. Heroic efforts by officers eventually freed the assaulted women, relocating them to the thana under protection.
SDPO Purushottam Singh of Baghmara revealed, ‘Child abduction intel is under scrutiny—no proof yet. Citizens, please don’t act on hearsay; leave justice to authorities.’ His words underscore a nationwide crisis of rumor-driven violence.
Sociologists link these flare-ups to socioeconomic anxieties and rapid information dissemination. Initiatives like police helplines and fact-check portals aim to bridge the gap.
With the area now under vigil, the victims receive treatment while perpetrators face imminent arrest. This episode demands collective action: report suspicions, not rumors, to safeguard innocents and preserve peace in Dhanbad.