Tripura: Angry-mob lynches one believing child-lifting rumors, injures two others
Social media rumors have taken a deadly turn in India. On Thursday, in Tripura's Murabari area, one man was killed and two others injured by an angry mob on suspicions of being child-lifters. The deceased was identified as Zahid Khan; he belonged to Bihar. He and his associates, Gulzan Ahmed Khan and Khursheed Khan were attacked when they went to sell utensils in the area.
Believing social media rumors, mob attacked innocents
The locals believed rumors on social media and assumed the 'outsiders' came to kidnap kids. After being brutally attacked by the mob, the men tried seeking shelter at a nearby Tripura State Rifles (TSR) camp, but they were taken out from there and beaten up. While Zahid was declared brought dead by doctors, Gulzan and Khursheed are in critical condition.
How did the rumors spread, though?
The rumors of child-lifters spread after the body of an 11-year-old missing boy was found near his house, earlier this week. Locals alleged the boy's kidneys were stolen as he had cuts on his back. Locals had previously blamed the police for laxity in this case. The furious mob even attacked policemen who reached the spot. One officer and a local were injured.
Meanwhile, police have asked people to not believe rumors
Taking cognizance of rising number of incidents of mob-violence, DGP Akhil Kumar Shukla requested residents not to believe news circulated on social media. As a precautionary measure, Internet and SMS services have been suspended from Thursday 2 PM, for 48 hours. Till now, police have arrested three people for spreading fake news. Sadly, this trend is not limited to Tripura only.
Lately, many innocents have lost their lives to mob-justice
There has been an alarming rise in incidents of mob-lynching after people fell for fake news regarding child-lifters. Last month, at least six people lost their lives in South India after locals suspected them to be child-lifters. In Guwahati, two youths were lynched earlier this month. Similarly, in Kolkata, a saree-wearing man was beaten up but thankfully rescued. This madness clearly needs to stop.
