Three sadhus, who were going from Uttar Pradesh to Gangasagar Mela in West Bengal, were beaten up by a mob on Thursday evening. The incident took place in Purulia district of West Bengal. Sadhus were beaten on suspicion of being kidnappers.According to the sources, a man and his two sons accompanying the sadhus had hired a vehicle to reach Gangasagar to take holy dip in on the occasion of Makar Sankranti. As soon as he inquired about the route, some local people became suspicious and the agitated crowd accused them of kidnapping and manhandled the sadhus.#WATCH | West Bengal: On a viral video showing a group of sadhus being assaulted by a mob in the Purulia district, Purulia SP, Avijit Banerjee says, Three saints were going in a vehicle...Near Gourangdih, three girls were heading to a local Kali mandir for pooja when the car… pic.twitter.com/0NpwmlXpmP— ANI (@ANI) January 13, 2024As the matter escalated, the local police intervened and saved the sadhus. The police took them to Kashipur police station. Commenting on the incident, Purulia Superintendent of Police Abhijit Banerjee said that a case has been registered and investigation is underway. Police also said that raids are being conducted to arrest those involved in the attack.Police also said that Sadhu had lost his way and asked the girls for directions. He reported that the girls got scared and ran away, leading locals to speculate that the sadhus may have harassed the girls. He said that later a vehicle was arranged for the sadhus to go to the Gangasagar fair.Meanwhile, Police have arrested 12 people in connection with the case. All of them have brought to Raghunathpur Sub-Divisional Court in Purulia for the investigation.#WATCH | 12 people arrested in connection with the assault on three sadhus, brought to the Raghunathpur Sub-Divisional Court in Purulia, West Bengal. https://t.co/NeD8LQgr4M pic.twitter.com/Qji6mxI6DE— ANI (@ANI) January 13, 2024Amit Malviya shared the video of facilitating sadhus after assaultResponding to the same BJP MP Jyotirmay Singh Mahto in West Bengal facilitated them and arranged for their safe return. MP also said that a TMC goonda and civic volunteer with the West Bengal police, is behind the attack.After Mamata Banerjees police failed to protect the sadhus from being lynched in West Bengals Purulia, BJP MP Jyotirmay Singh Mahto rescued them, honoured and felicitated them. We have arranged for their safe return.Locals tell us that Anwar Sheikh, a TMC goonda and civic… pic.twitter.com/f6DKQ9vNCC— Amit Malviya (@amitmalviya) January 13, 2024
