Overview
- The attack occurred on Tuesday, June 16, after two fellowship workers travelling by scooter stopped to ask for directions and gave sweets to children in Kandulguda village.
- A crowd formed on rumours that the outsiders were child kidnappers, the pair were chased as they fled, their scooter skidded near Dhamunipanga, and both were beaten with the woman partially stripped.
- Kalyansinghpur police rescued the injured victims, who were treated at local hospitals and later discharged, and have registered four cases in connection with the incident.
- Police have arrested 16 people so far using CCTV and other evidence, estimate 40 to 50 people may have taken part, and say more arrests are likely as they verify bystander videos.
- The victims are young volunteers working on local development projects and the episode highlights how festival gatherings and quick-spreading rumours can put outside workers at risk while police rely on video evidence to pursue mob participants.