Jamshedpur: A series of mob assaults targeting outsiders on suspicion of child lifting has put the rural police on high alert in the Ghatsila sub-division of East Singhbhum district.Over the past three days (Feb 14–16), four separate incidents of mob violence were reported from areas under Chakulia, Shyamsundarpur and Dumaria police stations. On Sunday, two snake charmers were allegedly held hostage and beaten up by villagers at Chandanpur in Shyamsundarpur on suspicion of being child lifters.
The victims, aged between 30 and 35 years, were identified as Lahul Mandal and Minanur Mandal, residents of North 24 Parganas district in West Bengal.“They had come to the village on Shivratri to showcase their snake-charming skills. However, some locals suspected them of child theft and assaulted them. Police rushed to the spot after receiving information and rescued the duo,” said Sunil Kumar Bhokta, officer-in-charge of Shyamsundarpur police station.In a separate incident, a middle-aged man was attacked by a mob on similar suspicion under Dumaria police station limits. Police said the victim, a small-time honey seller, was detained and assaulted by villagers before being rescued by the police. His identity was not disclosed. In both cases, no formal complaint has been lodged.On Feb 13 and 14, two mentally challenged persons were assaulted by mobs at Lodhasuli village under Chakulia police station and Pitajodi village under Shyamsundarpur police station on similar suspicion.Police officials clarified that no cases of child theft have been reported in the sub-division in recent times. However, the sudden spike in mob violence has prompted intensified patrolling and awareness drives in rural areas.“There are no police complaints in any of these cases, but patrolling has been intensified and awareness campaigns are being conducted. Villagers are urged to inform police if they notice any suspicious movement. No one will be allowed to take the law into their own hands,” said Ajit Kumar Kujjur, SDPO, Ghatsila range.The SDPO also chaired a meeting with officers-in-charge of various police stations to review the situation.The region has witnessed similar incidents in the past. On Feb 22, 2025, two suspected thieves were lynched by an irate mob at Jodsa village under Chakulia police station after being caught allegedly stealing goats. The following day, two more suspected thieves were brutally beaten in Bota village under Boram police station limits on similar allegations.In 2017, four persons were lynched in Nagadih under Bagbera police station area on suspicion of child lifting.
