Viral video shows woman suspected of child abduction being assaulted

Photo: Woman thrashed by villagers in Taluvagera, Kushtagi taluk of Koppal distKoppal: An incident of alleged mob assault came to light from Taluvagera village in Kushtagi taluk, where a woman was beaten by villagers on suspicion of attempting child abduction.The woman, a resident of Budakunti village in Yalburga taluk, was returning after visiting her relatives in Chalagera village of Kushtagi taluk. She reportedly got down midway at Taluvagera to visit the Sharanabasaveshwar temple. Exhausted due to the summer heat, she approached a nearby house seeking drinking water.However, residents allegedly suspected her of being involved in child abduction. "The male members of the house dragged her by the hair and assaulted her. Some women present there also urged the men to teach her a lesson. Later, the unidentified woman was handed over to Kushtagi police," said Anil Kumar Alamelu, a resident.During police questioning, it emerged that the woman was not involved in any child abduction. Police contacted her family members, who informed them that she was mentally unsound. She was subsequently released into the custody of her family.A video of the assault went viral on social media, drawing widespread condemnation over the villagers' actions.