Odisha Horror: NGO Intern from Delhi Molested by Mob in Rayagada After Child Kidnapping Rumours Trigger Vigilante Violence

In a shocking incident that has raised serious concerns about mob vigilantism and the dangers of misinformation, a young woman interning with a leading non-governmental organisation (NGO) in Odisha was allegedly stripped, molested and physically assaulted by a large group of villagers in Rayagada district.

Her male colleague was also brutally attacked after both were mistakenly suspected of being child kidnappers.

Although the incident took place on the evening of June 16, it came to public attention only after the police arrested at least 20 individuals, including several juveniles, on Saturday in connection with the attack.

The victims, both 22 years old, had been working with the NGO as part of a prestigious fellowship programme in Odisha’s tribal regions since September last year.

The young woman is a resident of Delhi, while her colleague hails from Surat in Gujarat. According to officials, the two had been engaged in community-based social work and developmental initiatives in the region.

Speaking about the incident, Rayagada Superintendent of Police Raj Prasad said the two were travelling through the district on a scooter and had planned to cover a distance of nearly 250 kilometres.

During their journey, rumours regarding the presence of child abductors in the area had already spread among residents, creating an atmosphere of suspicion and fear.

According to the police officer, some villagers mistakenly believed the NGO workers were child kidnappers and began pursuing them on motorcycles.

At approximately 8.30 pm, their scooter reportedly skidded and overturned near an agricultural field. The pursuing crowd then caught up with them and allegedly launched a violent attack.

“The mob assaulted both individuals, stripped the woman and subjected her to molestation,” the Superintendent of Police said, adding that the incident escalated rapidly as rumours spiralled beyond control.

Recalling the traumatic experience, the woman told local media that she and her colleague had been using Google Maps to navigate because they were unfamiliar with the area and its roads.

She said that while they were travelling, a man who claimed to be a resident stopped them and advised them not to proceed further because the road ahead was reportedly in poor condition.

As they attempted to turn around, he allegedly tried to remove the keys from their scooter and demanded to see their identity cards.

The woman said she immediately showed her identification card in an effort to reassure him. However, he refused to accept their explanation and remained suspicious. Within moments, a crowd began gathering around them, causing panic and fear.

According to her account, her colleague restarted the scooter in an attempt to leave the area. However, several locals mounted on motorcycles began chasing them. Their scooter eventually slipped near a field, allowing the crowd to catch up.

She alleged that the mob then attacked both of them, forcibly removed her clothing and subjected her to molestation.

Describing the ordeal, the young woman said she was assaulted, her hair was pulled, her clothes were torn, and she was touched inappropriately by members of the crowd.

Deeply traumatised by the experience, she expressed fear and said she wanted to return home. She also emphasised that both she and her colleague had come to the region solely to engage in social work and community service.

Even after the police reached the location upon receiving information about the attack, the situation reportedly remained highly volatile.

Despite efforts by police personnel and a few residents to rescue the victims, the crowd continued behaving aggressively and allegedly persisted in assaulting them.

Among those who came to the aid of the two NGO workers was 26-year-old Balaram Bagh, a driver employed in the locality.

According to him, he was on his way to a roadside eatery for dinner with a friend when he noticed the mob attacking the two young professionals.

Balaram said he immediately attempted to pull the victims away from the crowd and escort them towards the police vehicle.

Realising that the woman’s clothes had been torn during the assault, he removed his own T-shirt and gave it to her so that she could cover herself.

He further revealed that the mob’s anger had reached such extreme levels that members of the crowd allegedly chased the police vehicle all the way to the nearest community health centre and even attempted to vandalise the premises.

Superintendent of Police Raj Prasad said three separate cases have been registered in connection with the incident and that 20 individuals have already been taken into custody.

He added that further arrests are likely as the investigation progresses and additional suspects are identified.

Police sources said both victims were left deeply traumatised by the incident. They were provided medical treatment and counselling before eventually being reunited with their respective families.

When contacted, Gram Vikas Executive Director Liby Johnson said the two young professionals remain in a state of severe emotional distress and are presently not prepared to speak about their experience.

The incident has once again highlighted the devastating consequences of misinformation and mob vigilantism.

What began as unverified rumours about child kidnappers rapidly transformed into an episode of violence that left two young social workers traumatised, raising urgent questions about public awareness, law enforcement and the need to combat rumour-driven mob justice.