Mistaken for kidnappers, NGO workers thrashed, woman molested in Odisha village

A woman NGO worker and her colleague were assaulted in Odisha's Rayagada district after villagers mistook them for child kidnappers. Police have arrested 16 people in connection with the mob attack.

In Short

• The two NGO workers were travelling between Odisha districts on June 16
• Speaking to children and distributing biscuits sparked child-lifter rumours
• The woman alleged that villagers tore her clothes, beat her brutally

A woman NGO worker was molested and assaulted along with her male colleague in Odisha's Rayagada after locals suspected them of being child kidnappers. Police said 16 people have been arrested in connection with the incident.

The attack took place on June 16 when the two NGO workers, both from outside Odisha, were travelling from Daringbadi to Thuamul Rampur block in neighbouring Kalahandi district.

According to police, the duo stopped at Kandulguda village under Kalyansinghpur block in Rayagada district to ask for directions. During their interaction with villagers, they reportedly spoke with children and distributed biscuits, triggering suspicion among some locals.

Rumours that the pair were child lifters quickly spread through the village, prompting a large crowd to gather and allegedly attack them despite their attempts to identify themselves.

The woman said she repeatedly showed her NGO identification card to prove who she was, but the mob refused to believe her.

"I showed the ID card that we had. They did not believe it. They beat me a lot. They started pulling my hair, tearing my clothes, and someone was inappropriately touching me. Someone was beating me very brutally. Some people were trying to save me too. Then, somehow rescuing me, they put me in the vehicle," she said.

Her male colleague said they had entered the village after following directions on Google Maps and had no plans to visit the area otherwise.

"Google Maps showed that route, so we were going that way, otherwise we wouldn't have gone. The villagers were chasing us, and everyone in the village was standing with sticks. Someone even threw a stone at her," he said.

Police said a case has been registered and several of those involved in the mob violence were in custody.

"We have arrested 16 people so far. Some of the main accused are also among them. The interrogation and verification of the footage and witnesses are underway. A criminal case has been registered under several sections," Rayagada Superintendent of Police Raj Prasad said.

Further investigation is ongoing.

- Ends
With PTI inputs