As many as nine labourers were thrashed by locals in Lodipur village in Uttar Pradesh’s Amethi on Tuesday, 3 September, on suspicion of child-lifting.
Amethi SP Khyati Garg said that after returning from work, the labourers had stopped to drink alcohol during which they got into a fight with a man.
“The labourers and the man were drunk. After the brawl, the labourers put the man in their pick-up, which some local thought of as abducting a child. Amid the child-lifting rumours, the locals gathered and beat them.”Amethi SP Khyati Garg
She further informed that the nine labourers were brought to a nearby hospital. “Five people have been arrested, others will also be arrested. Strict action will be taken against those who spread rumours."
Sanjeevan Kumar, a victim said that they were attacked because people mistook them to be child-lifters. However, he said that they hadn’t abducted any children.
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