Minor misuses rumours of ‘child-lifters’

Kolar: As if the cases of innocents being suspected as child-lifters and being assaulted by the public were not enough, another incident has come to light wherein a minor has allegedly put up a photograph of a neighbour on WhatsApp, claiming that the 16 year old boy is a child-lifter. The accused tried to take advantage of the rumours of child snatchers and the consequent lynching to get even with the boy’s family, for whom he harboured an enmity.

A person from Mulbagal who received the message on his mobile phone alerted the boy’s family. Fearing that the boy may be attacked by the public, he was not allowed to go out of the house for a couple of days. Later, the family lodged a complaint against the accused. Though the family accuses the neighbour for the incident, it is yet to be verified as to who uploaded the picture.

The police clarified that the boy is not a child lifter and also confirmed that no case has been registered against the accused. The accused has still not been traced.