Amid child-lifting rumours, man thrashed by mob in Lucknow

LUCKNOW: As rumours of a child lifting gang active on the city outskirts continue to make rounds on social media, another incident of mob attack on a 40-year-old mentally unstable man suspected to be a child-lifter was reported from Maunda area of Kakori late Friday night, police said.
The victim, Umashankar, was stripped and thrashed by about 50 people in which he suffered injuries in his head and limb.
He was rescued after a local resident informed police on U who took him to the local community health centre for treatment from where he was discharged on Saturday.
Police said Umashankar, who seems to be mentally unstable, lives with his family in Bhatpura village in Hardoi. He lost his way and reached Maunda village on Friday. Some locals spotted him and started questioning about his whereabouts.
When he could not give answers, the group caught hold of him accused Umashankar of being a child-lifter. He said a few locals intervened and convinced the mob to handover the man to the police. Some also shot a video of the incident that went viral on social media.
The SHO said an FIR under the charges of rioting, voluntarily causing hurt, intentional insult and criminal intimidation has been lodged against unidentified persons.