Ranchi, Feb 19: Jharkhand is witnessing a disturbing surge in mob violence triggered by rumours of child-lifting gangs, with at least 12 assault incidents reported across multiple districts in the past five days, leaving one person dead and several others injured, officials said.
The incidents, reported between February 15 and 19, have emerged from districts including Ranchi, Jamshedpur, Dhanbad, Chatra, Bokaro, Giridih, Ramgarh, Latehar and Jamtara, sparking widespread panic and prompting urgent appeals for calm by authorities.
The most serious incident occurred in Chatra district, where a mentally unstable man, identified as Rambali Rajwar, was lynched by a mob on suspicion of being a child-lifter. He later succumbed to his injuries, police said.
In Ranchi’s Edalhatu area, three persons — two women and a man — were assaulted by a mob while travelling in an auto-rickshaw with a crying child. Locals, suspecting a kidnapping attempt, stopped the vehicle and attacked them without verification. Police personnel reached the spot in time and rescued the victims, preventing further harm.
Similar incidents were reported in Bokaro, where six women were assaulted, and in Dhanbad’s Baghmara area, where two women were attacked following rumours of child-lifting. Several innocent travellers were targeted in other districts as panic spread rapidly.
Police officials said the violence was fueled largely by unverified messages circulating on social media platforms, particularly WhatsApp. Authorities have identified more than 300 social media accounts allegedly involved in spreading misinformation.
Jharkhand Director General of Police K N Chaubey said strict action would be taken against those involved in mob attacks. “I have told police officers to arrest as many accused as possible in such cases,” he said, adding that awareness drives and public meetings were being conducted to prevent further incidents.
Police clarified that no organised child-lifting gangs were operating in the state and urged citizens not to take the law into their own hands. Authorities have appealed to the public to report any suspicious activity to the nearest police station or dial emergency helpline 112.
Officials said at least 44 people have been attacked in recent days due to rumours, highlighting the dangerous impact of misinformation and mob hysteria. Legal action is being initiated against those spreading false rumours and participating in mob violence.
The police have reiterated their appeal for restraint, warning that strict legal action will be taken against anyone found involved in spreading rumours or engaging in vigilantism.
