ROURKELA: Amid soaring tensions between India and Bangladesh over targeted attack on Hindus in the neighbouring country, eight construction workers perceived as illegal Bangladeshi immigrants were stripped and paraded naked by an irate mob at Sundargarh town on Thursday.
The victims, engaged as construction workers, faced the mob justice after one of them allegedly molested a woman. Sources said tension flared up after some local residents spotted a construction worker from Murshidabad in West Bengal molesting a woman near Mission Road.
Soon an angry mob of around 120 people brought eight construction workers from nearby areas including the one accused of molestation. After thrashing the workers, the mob stripped them and made them march towards Town police station.
It is learnt that before police arrived, the victims were forced to walk fully naked for some distance. Police had a tough time assuaging the angry mob and after much persuasion, the construction workers were allowed to complete the march half-naked.
Police said the incident occurred when one of the construction workers allegedly grabbed a woman, forcing her to scream for help. Subsequently, the worker was chased and attacked by locals. The mob then assaulted the workers. Eventually, police rescued the workers and provided medical treatment to them.
Sources said the construction workers, belonging to a particular religion, claimed that they hailed from Murshidabad in West Bengal. Verification of their actual identity would take time.
Sundargarh SP Pratyush Diwakar said multiple FIRs have been filed in connection with the incident. Police are scanning CCTV footage to identify the assailants. Legal action will be taken against those involved in the incident.
Police sources said a case under sections 191 (2), 126 (2), 127 (2), 351 (2), 296, 115 (2), 121 (1), 132, 74, 109, 117 (4) and 190 of BNS has been registered. A complaint was also lodged by local residents against the construction workers. No arrest has been made from either side.