Pavagada(Tumakuru): The news related to child lifting has sent panic waves across several villages in Pavagada surroundings as parents gripped in fear refused to let their children out.
“Child lifters with malafide intentions have infiltrated into several villages and are involved in illegal trading of kidneys and eyes”, read few messages sending nearby villagers’ into panic mode. Pictures of operations being carried out on children with the sole intention of extracting vital body parts by men with evil intentions were also circulated to worsen the situation. Policemen inquiring unknown persons suspected to be child lifters also made rounds simultaneously.
Soon after the news went viral, villagers in Palavalli, B K Halli, Indra betta, Chikkahalli, Doddahalli and K Rampura were seen discussing among themselves to overcome the fear gripping them. Unconfirmed report of a woman crying for help when child lifters made a futile bid to snatch her child in Palavalli left several clueless. Immediately, an emergency awareness campaign was launched by beating drums in Kadamalakunte village cautioning parents not to let their children out to become preys in the hands of unknown men.
Meanwhile, Priyanka, daughter of Obalappa and Gangamma, is absconding since May 13, after she went to answer nature’s call. Married three years ago to Basavaraju, Priyanka had come to her parental home.Several attempts to trace her by villagers so far, has gone in vain.
At the same time, rumours are being spread about the presence of child lifters at the foothills of Indrabetta, a hillock in the town. Hundreds of men cordoned off the area in an attempt to trace the men, suspected to be child lifters from Telangana. However, no evidence of their presence was found in the area.
