Rayagada, June 20: Police have intensified their crackdown on those involved in the shocking mob violence incident at Kalyansinghpur in Rayagada district, arresting four more accused persons and forwarding them to court. With the latest arrests, the total number of people held in connection with the case has risen to 20.

The fear of arrest continues to grip the region, with several villages, including Tentaliguda under Kalyansinghpur block, reportedly witnessing an exodus of male residents.

The incident, which has sparked widespread outrage across Odisha and beyond, took place last Tuesday when a young woman and a man from Delhi, working in Kandhamal district, were allegedly mistaken for child kidnappers and attacked by a mob. The woman was reportedly stripped, assaulted and subjected to inhuman treatment by the crowd.

Police rescued the victims and shifted the woman to a hospital for treatment. However, tension persisted as a section of the crowd allegedly created disturbances even at the hospital premises.

The barbaric incident has drawn condemnation from all quarters, with civil society groups and public representatives demanding stringent action against those responsible. Police officials indicated that the number of arrests is likely to increase further as the investigation progresses and more suspects are identified.