7 people fall victim to child lifter suspicion in Alipurduar

Amitava Banerjee | MP | 26 July 2019 | Darjeeling: There has been a spate of assaults and lynching attempts in North Bengal, especially in Dooars, on suspicion of child abduction. 7 persons became victims of mob violence in Madarihat on Wednesday.

6 youths were selling cookware from a van at Salmandal Chowpathy, Madarihat in Alipurduar district. Suddenly, local residents attacked the youths and the driver of the vehicle, without any provocation.

The 7 people got down from the vehicle and began to flee, as the mob started chasing them, shouting that they were child lifters. While three managed to flee, the rest were caught by the mob and were badly beaten up.

Later, they were rescued by Madarihat police and taken to a local hospital. The mob then vandalised the vehicle and even looted the cookware of a renowned company from the van.

The 6 persons used to stay in a rented house in Dhupguri and sold cookware for a living. Alipurduar SP Nagendra Tripathi said: "We will identify the assailants and the rumor mongers and take stringent action. No one will be spared."

Incidentally on July 22, a 32-year-old man was stoned to death on suspicion of being a child lifter. The incident occurred in Sukhani Bustee, Nagrakata in Jalpaiguri district. He used to frequent the area to beg. 6 persons have been arrested in connection with the incident.