Migrant labourer assaulted by mob in Chandkheda over child-lifting rumour

Ahmedabad: A migrant labourer was brutally attacked by a mob in Chandkheda on Friday afternoon after being suspected of an alleged attempt to kidnap a child, once again underlining the dangers of rumour-driven vigilantism.The victim, a man in his early 30s from Tundla in Uttar Pradesh, was walking near a residential society in Chandkheda when he was stopped by a group of locals. Police said eight to 10 residents began questioning him aggressively about why he was moving around the area. Soon, a video of the incident went viral on social media, showing local residents accusing the man of having come to the area to allegedly kidnap a child. As the man reportedly appeared confused while answering their questions, the group became suspicious and branded him a child lifter. Within minutes, tempers flared and members of the mob assaulted him, tearing his clothes and beating him mercilessly. Some of the assailants searched his belongings, and the discovery of a train ticket further provoked the mob. A police officer said the violence was sparked after a woman claimed the man had tried to lift her child, though the allegation has not been verified. The labourer was beaten so severely that he sustained serious injuries and started bleeding heavily. When contacted initially, Chandkheda police maintained that no such violent incident had occurred. However, after questions were raised about the authenticity of the viral video, Chandkheda police inspector J K Makwana confirmed that the man had been assaulted and was being questioned. Police did not reveal the victim's identity, and no arrests had been made in connection with the assault at the time of reporting. The incident has once again drawn attention to earlier cases of mob violence fuelled by child-lifting rumours in Ahmedabad. The most infamous case dates back to June 26, 2018, when a 40-year-old woman, Shanta Devi, was lynched by a mob in Vadaj after being suspected of child abduction. Three others travelling with her were also critically injured. In 2023 and 2024, several cases of mob attacks were similarly reported from neighbouring Kheda district on suspicion of child lifting.
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