Dhanbad, Feb. 18 -- A mentally challenged woman was assaulted by a group of villagers at Harina Chowk in Baghmara area following rumours that she was a child-lifter, people aware of the development said on Tuesday.

According to local sources, panic spread quickly after word circulated that a suspicious woman had been spotted in the locality. Within minutes, a large crowd gathered and allegedly began thrashing the woman without verification. The situation led to a traffic jam in Harina for some time. Police from Barora and Baghmara stations rushed to the spot after receiving information and rescued the injured woman. She was later taken into custody for her safety and medical attention.

Preliminary inquiry suggests that the woman is ment...