TNI Bureau: A fresh case of mob violence has surfaced in Odisha, where a young woman and her male colleague, both NGO workers from outside the state, were attacked by villagers in Rayagada district after being mistaken for members of a child-lifting gang. The young woman was stripped in public and assaulted during the incident.

According to police, the two NGO workers were travelling from Daringbadi to Thuamul Rampur block in neighbouring Kalahandi district on the night of June 16. While passing through Kandulguda village under Dhamunipanga panchayat in the Kalyansinghpur police station area, they stopped to ask villagers for directions.

During their interaction with local residents, the duo reportedly spoke with children and distributed biscuits. Their actions triggered suspicion among some villagers, who spread rumours that they were child kidnappers. Soon, a crowd gathered and attacked them.

After receiving information about the incident, police rushed to the spot, rescued the victims and admitted them to a local hospital. They were later shifted to the Rayagada District Headquarters Hospital for treatment.

Rayagada SP Raj Prasad said police acted swiftly and arrested 21 people in connection with the assault. He added that the investigation is continuing and all those involved in the incident will face action.

The two NGO workers have since been discharged from the hospital and are reported to be in stable condition. The woman worker has narrated her ordeal and pain with tearful eyes, which brought the humanity into shame.