Delhi woman mistaken for child-lifter, stripped KORAPUT: Odisha Police Thursday arrested 16 people who were part of a mob that chased and assaulted a woman from Delhi and her male colleague from Gujarat, mistaking them for child kidnappers, in a remote village in Rayagada district on June 16. The accused also half-stripped the woman.The two work with voluntary organisations under fellowship programmes. While the woman is engaged in solid waste management initiatives in Kalahandi district, the man from Surat is associated with a turmeric packaging project in Kandhamal district.According to police, they were travelling from Daringbadi in Kandhamal to Thuamul Rampur in Kalahandi district on a scooter. They stopped near Kandulguda village to seek directions.As the two interacted with a group of children and gave them chocolates, it aroused the suspicion of some villagers, who quickly spread a rumour that the outsiders were child-lifters. The two development workers alleged they were attacked despite repeatedly showing their identity cards and explaining the purpose of their visit.Police have registered four cases, with preliminary investigations suggesting 40 to 50 could be involved in the attack. Rayagada SP Raj Prasad said, “Kalyansinghpur police rescued the two victims and arrested 16 persons based on CCTV footage. We are verifying videos recorded by people at the spot.”Get the latest India news and live updates. Download the TOI App.End of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosContradicting Supreme Court and Tribunal Orders?: TN Assembly’s Firm Stand Against ProjectRare Handshake At LoC During Pakistani National’s Repatriation Draws Attention Across BorderJaishankar Says Global Appreciation For Indian Talent Is Growing RapidlyCongress Wins 5 Of 7 Karnataka MLC Seats, BJP Probes Suspected Cross-VotingRSS At 100: Why The Organisation Remains Unregistered And Why The Issue Keeps Returning?From Net-Zero Design To Cargo Hub: What Makes Jewar Airport Different?Why Brahmins Are Suddenly At The Centre Of UP’s 2027 Political Battle | SP vs BSP vs BJP ExplainedTMC Escalates Battle To Delhi As Abhishek Banerjee Seeks Action On Rebel MPsJio Files DRHP With SEBI | Mukesh Ambani Hands IPO Leadership To Isha, Akash & AnantFrom ‘Brother-in-Ideals’ To A Cold Greeting: Stalin’s Message Exposes DMK-Congress Rift123PhotostoriesLove Poha for breakfast? 6 ways to add 20 gms protein to each servingNew York’s first lady Rama Duwaji made bootleg Knicks merch look runway-readyFrom earning Rs 700 in his first job to doing plays with Dilip Joshi and Disha Vakani: When Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah’s Tanmay Vekaria Aka Bagha got candid about his life5 signs of emotional manipulation in relationships, as per mental health counselor10 regional jackfruit dishes from across the world and why it is celebrated so muchFrom respecting Gauri Khan’s space to teaching his sons to respect women: 5 times Shah Rukh Khan proved he is Bollywood’s ultimate green flag10 baby girl names that mean pure in different languagesFrom Alia Bhatt to Katrina Kaif: Inside the pilates routine that keeps these Bollywood divas fit6 most beautiful hidden villages in India that are absolutely worth a tripWhy were women banned from doing makeup on Bollywood sets? Sonam Kapoor’s makeup artist explains the breaking of the 59-year-old barrier123Hot PicksEngland vs New ZealandYuvraj SinghUSA Vs AustraliaAP SSC resultsKannur University FYUGP TrialShiv SenaJD VanceStrait of HormuzHormoz nuclear power plantTop TrendingBihar gang-rapeUS-Iran Peace DealStock Market LiveFIFA World Cup 2026What is Legacy BadgeBEST bus strikeAIIMS BSc Nursing Admit CardMHT CET PCM 2nd attempt resultsGold rate todayIndia-UK FTA
KORAPUT: Odisha Police Thursday arrested 16 people who were part of a mob that chased and assaulted a woman from Delhi and her male colleague from Gujarat, mistaking them for child kidnappers, in a remote village in Rayagada district on June 16. The accused also half-stripped the woman.The two work with voluntary organisations under fellowship programmes. While the woman is engaged in solid waste management initiatives in Kalahandi district, the man from Surat is associated with a turmeric packaging project in Kandhamal district.According to police, they were travelling from Daringbadi in Kandhamal to Thuamul Rampur in Kalahandi district on a scooter. They stopped near Kandulguda village to seek directions.As the two interacted with a group of children and gave them chocolates, it aroused the suspicion of some villagers, who quickly spread a rumour that the outsiders were child-lifters. The two development workers alleged they were attacked despite repeatedly showing their identity cards and explaining the purpose of their visit.Police have registered four cases, with preliminary investigations suggesting 40 to 50 could be involved in the attack. Rayagada SP Raj Prasad said, “Kalyansinghpur police rescued the two victims and arrested 16 persons based on CCTV footage. We are verifying videos recorded by people at the spot.”