Baripada: In a deeply disturbing incident highlighting the growing menace of mob aggression, a widow and her differently-abled daughter were allegedly brutally assaulted by fellow villagers over accusations linked to a stray dog in Mayurbhanj district.
The incident occurred in Urmal village under Udala police station limits, where Fulmani Hembram, a widow, lives with her differently-abled daughter.
According to reports, a stray dog had reportedly been resting under a tree outside Fulmani’s house for some time before moving around the village. Soon after, several villagers allegedly confronted the woman, accusing her of keeping the stray dog and claiming that the animal had attacked their goats.
What followed was a shocking display of violence. The villagers allegedly assaulted Fulmani Hembram and her differently-abled daughter without mercy. They reportedly beat the two women and even hurled stones at the disabled girl, causing severe swelling on her head.
Despite sustaining injuries herself, Fulmani carried her injured daughter and rushed for medical treatment before approaching Udala police station to lodge a written complaint seeking action against the accused villagers.
Speaking after the incident, Fulmani denied owning or keeping any dog and alleged that she and her daughter were attacked without provocation.
The incident has triggered outrage locally, with residents and rights activists expressing concern over the inhuman treatment meted out to a vulnerable widow and her differently-abled daughter. Police have begun an inquiry into the matter.
