Rumours of child kidnapping have triggered panic across Jharkhand, leading to a spate of mob violence incidents over the past five days. At least 12 cases of mob assault based on suspicion have been reported from different parts of the state, prompting police to issue an urgent appeal for restraint.

On Thursday morning, three innocent persons, two women and a man were surrounded and assaulted by a mob in the Edalhatu area of Ranchi on suspicion of child theft. They were travelling in an auto-rickshaw with a child when the incident occurred.