Police in Narmadapuram district have initiated a massive search for a 22-year-old man who has been missing since March 19. The man’s disappearance followed a brutal assault, which was captured in a viral video and shared on social media on Sunday evening. The video shows two women and a man physically attacking the young man with slippers and kicks.
The Incident: The incident reportedly occurred on Rangpanchami day, when the young man allegedly visited the rented room of his maternal uncle’s daughter. Sources claim that during this visit, the man showed her some photos and attempted to blackmail her, threatening to expose them to her father. In response, the girl called her friends and other young men to confront the man. This led to the physical assault in which the man was beaten and humiliated.
The video of the assault emerged a week after the incident on March 19, sparking outrage on social media. It shows the young man being attacked by two women while a man stands by, observing. According to the police, the young man has been missing since the assault, and his family filed a missing person report on March 22 with Makhannagar police.
CCTV Evidence and Escalating Concerns: CCTV footage from March 20, released by the police, shows the young man leaving the area where the assault took place, around 6 am. The footage was crucial in confirming that the young man was seen after the beating, but his whereabouts remain unknown since then.
Authorities are also investigating two additional videos that have surfaced, showing other youths interrogating the victim. In these clips, the youths are seen demanding that the man reveal the details of his encounter with the girl. One of the youths threatens to shave the man’s head and even mutilate his private parts if he doesn’t comply.
Police Response and Family’s Allegations: Despite the videos circulating and growing public interest, the victim’s family has expressed frustration with the police’s response. The young man’s brother has accused the authorities of negligence, claiming that his sibling has been missing for nearly two weeks without significant action from the police.
The police have yet to comment on the allegations of negligence, but have confirmed that they are investigating the case further. The Kotwali police station in Narmadapuram has taken over the matter, and a thorough search is being conducted to locate the missing man.
The Broader Debate: This case has sparked a wider debate on social media about the dangers of blackmail, gender-based violence, and public shaming. The brutal assault and subsequent video sharing have raised questions about the responsibility of social media users and the ethics of online justice. Meanwhile, the issue of gender-based violence, especially in rural and semi-urban areas, has once again come to the forefront.
Calls for Justice and Action: The incident has provoked strong reactions, with many calling for stricter measures against such assaults and the sharing of private videos without consent. Advocates for the victim’s family have urged the authorities to expedite the investigation and ensure that those responsible for the assault are held accountable.
As the search for the missing man continues, the case remains under intense scrutiny, with local authorities working to piece together the details surrounding the incident and the subsequent events. The community is watching closely, hoping for justice and clarity in this troubling case.
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