A youth in Chittagong has narrowly escape lynching after locals descended upon him on suspicion of child abduction, a rumour that has gone viral recently triggering several mob beatings and deaths.
The incident occurred in Hathazari upazila on Friday night.
The victim was identified as Md Mumin, 20, son of Abdus Shukkur of Mirerkhal village in the municipality area.
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Quoting locals, Belal Uddin Jahangir, officer-in-charge (OC) of Hathajari Model police station, said: "Mumin was beaten mercilessly after a rumour spread around suspecting him as a child kidnapper at 11pm at Chandrapur village in the municipality area.
At one point, he managed to run away to save himself from beating and fell down after reaching Abbachiar Pool area. Later, locals admitted him to Hathajari Upazila Health Complex, the OC added.
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Dr Ridwan, medical officer of the health complex, said: "Mumin got injuries on his head and was shifted to Chittagong Medical College and Hospital (CMCH) for better treatment."
Mob beating incident rises alarmingly
At least eight people have been lynched across the country as mobs descended upon them believing in rumours of child abduction that have become viral recently.
Police initiated a countrywide awareness campaign on Thursday, in response to recent lynching of several people suspected to be child kidnappers.
