Over 15 people were assaulted in the east Indian state of Odisha over social media rumours of child abduction.
In one attack in the Koraput district two people were injured and a vehicle set on fire.
Police believe rumours of unidentified persons abducting children have been spread online, causing spates of attacks including incidents where the accused do not respond to queries in the local language.
A police official stated no cases of child abduction have been reported anywhere.