On Sunday morning, an alleged mobile phone thief was caught and beaten by locals in the Hanapada area of Kashtopur, under Baguiati police station, prompting an intervention from law enforcement. According to reports, the accused was caught in the act of stealing a mobile phone from a vendor at the Hanapada market. The situation quickly escalated, and the local people took matters into their own hands, physically assaulting the man.
The incident occurred around dawn when market traders and bystanders observed the individual attempting to steal a mobile phone. Upon realizing the theft, the crowd quickly gathered, and some people slapped the accused, while others subjected him to mild physical abuse. The local residents took action, attempting to prevent further crime, but the situation became chaotic.
As soon as the Baguiati police were alerted, they arrived at the scene and intervened, rescuing the accused from the mob. They quickly took him into custody and transported him to the police station. As of the time of writing, the accused has yet to be formally identified by the authorities.
It is important to note that despite recent awareness campaigns by the police discouraging vigilante justice, similar incidents of mob attacks over suspected thefts have been reported in various areas of the state. While the public’s frustration with crime is understandable, the tendency to resort to physical punishment is dangerous and unlawful.
The police have been actively campaigning against such acts of violence, emphasizing that taking the law into one’s own hands can result in harm to innocent individuals and disrupt public order. The authorities are reminding the public to report criminal activity to law enforcement rather than taking immediate, violent action.
This incident in Kashtopur highlights the growing concern over mob justice in the state and the urgent need for more awareness about the consequences of such actions. The police will continue their campaign to educate citizens about the proper legal channels for dealing with suspected crimes.