Mob surrounds, assaults teen pair in Jamui; videos prompt police action

Jamui: A teenage boy and girl returning from coaching classes in Bihar’s Jamui district were stopped, surrounded and manhandled by a group of men on Saturday evening, with videos from the scene showing the pair being slapped, molested and chased before they were finally allowed to leave.

Footage circulating on social media shows the boy riding a scooter with the girl seated behind him as several men block their path and begin questioning them. The teenagers are seen repeatedly apologising, with the boy telling the crowd they study at the same institution and that their families are aware of their relationship. One man slaps the boy and says, “If they know, then call them,” while another demands, “Call the family.”

In the clips, the girl folds her hands and pleads with the group to let them go, saying, “Please let us go, we will never come here again.” Another video shows members of the mob chasing the pair; the boy is grabbed by the collar of his shirt, while a man lifts the girl and attempts to run off with her. Eventually, some in the group are heard telling the teenagers to leave, saying, “Go, go.”

The videos triggered public outrage and prompted the Jamui police to take up the case even though no formal complaint had been lodged. Superintendent of Police Vishwajeet Dayal told The Indian Express that officers had reached out to the victims after seeing the clips and had identified some of those allegedly involved.

“We have started taking action, and they will be arrested soon after they are traced,” Dayal said, adding that the incident occurred on September 19 between 6 pm and 7 pm. A police source said the teenagers were returning from coaching when they were waylaid. “We are making efforts to trace those identified in connection with the incident. Arrests will be made soon,” the SP said.