Five more lynched over 'Whatapp child abduction' rumour in India
Mon Jul 02, 2018 08:40:am World
3.6K By Obiaks Blog
Five men have been lynched by a mob in India's western state of Maharashtra allegedly over rumours of child abduction spreading over WhatsApp.
Twelve people have been arrested for the killings, which happened on Sunday, police told BBC Marathi.
The victims belonged to a nomadic community and had been passing through the village, police said.
Despite attempts by the police to counter them, incidents of lynchings resulting from such rumours continue.
The police have imposed a curfew in the village as the situation remains tense and additional police forces have also been deployed.
They said that people from this community often pass though villages begging and they had been doing that when they were attacked.
One of the men was allegedly seen talking to a girl and some villagers suspected the group and questioned them.
"Since the villagers were not satisfied with their answers, they took the men to a room and started beating them with bamboo sticks and stones," M. Ramkumar, a senior police official, told BBC Marathi's Pravin Thakre.
The rumours were likely spurred by WhatsApp messages that had gone viral in the village, he said.
When the police arrived, he added, the mob attacked them as well.
"This is a very serious and unfortunate incident," Dada Bhuse, a local lawmaker, told the BBC. "We'll take strict action against the accused and against those who spread these rumours."
The five victims have been identified as Bharat Bhosale, Dadarao Bhosale, Raju Bhosale, Aganu Hingole and Bharat Mawale.
BBC
Twelve people have been arrested for the killings, which happened on Sunday, police told BBC Marathi.
The victims belonged to a nomadic community and had been passing through the village, police said.
Despite attempts by the police to counter them, incidents of lynchings resulting from such rumours continue.
The police have imposed a curfew in the village as the situation remains tense and additional police forces have also been deployed.
They said that people from this community often pass though villages begging and they had been doing that when they were attacked.
One of the men was allegedly seen talking to a girl and some villagers suspected the group and questioned them.
"Since the villagers were not satisfied with their answers, they took the men to a room and started beating them with bamboo sticks and stones," M. Ramkumar, a senior police official, told BBC Marathi's Pravin Thakre.
The rumours were likely spurred by WhatsApp messages that had gone viral in the village, he said.
When the police arrived, he added, the mob attacked them as well.
"This is a very serious and unfortunate incident," Dada Bhuse, a local lawmaker, told the BBC. "We'll take strict action against the accused and against those who spread these rumours."
The five victims have been identified as Bharat Bhosale, Dadarao Bhosale, Raju Bhosale, Aganu Hingole and Bharat Mawale.
BBC
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