Child lifters: TMC asks people not to get 'swayed by rumours'

Kolkata: The South 24-Parganas unit of Trinamool Congress has asked people not to get swayed by rumours that child lifters are kidnapping children to remove their kidneys and other organs.

In the past one week, rumours have surfaced that some child lifters are kidnapping children to remove their kidneys and other organs across vast areas of South 24-Parganas that include Diamond Harbour, Kakdweep, Muchisar, Sarisha and its neighbourhood and even in Behala, Sarsuna and its adjoining areas.

The rumours claim that the child lifters are raiding the houses after dusk and abducting children. They allegedly come on motorcycles and leave the area with the children within a few minutes.

Following the rumours, night vigil by local youths has been intensified. The members of different clubs have set up night guards to win the confidence of people. The club members are going to different areas to dispel the fear sparked by the rumours, through public address system.

The night guards are asking for the identity proof of people who are found loitering in the villages. They have also asked the villagers to get in touch with police the moment they hear any rumour.

Zilla Parishad member Shamima Sheikh said that the rumours are being spread to highlight the poor law and order condition in areas that fall under the Lok Sabha seat of Abhishek Banerjee, All India Trinamool Youth Congress president. She said the party has asked people not to take up law in their own hands and contact police in case they find people who are found loitering in the villages.