NGO Workers Assaulted in Odisha Over Child Kidnap Rumours

A woman NGO worker was allegedly molested and assaulted along with her male colleague after villagers mistook them for child kidnappers in Odisha's Rayagada district, police said on Saturday. Sixteen people have been arrested in connection with the incident. 

The attack occurred on June 16 at Kandulguda village under Kalyansinghpur block in Rayagada district when the two NGO workers, both from outside Odisha, were travelling from Daringbadi in Kandhamal district to Thuamul Rampur block in neighbouring Kalahandi district.

According to police, the duo



stopped in the village to ask for directions. During their interaction with local residents, they reportedly spoke to some children and distributed biscuits, triggering suspicion among a section of villagers who had been influenced by rumours of child kidnappers operating in the area. Within minutes, a mob gathered and accused the NGO workers of attempting to abduct children. 

The situation quickly spiralled out of control, with villagers allegedly assaulting the pair. The woman was reportedly molested, while both victims were physically attacked and publicly humiliated.