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The victims were killed in Dhule district, in the state of Maharashtra, on Sunday morning, after the locals accused them of being part of a band of "child lifts," says the police. WhatsApp's messages inspired deadly attacks in India.
Men, poor agricultural workers from a neighboring district, were attacked by a group of about 40 people after arriving by bus. They were surrounded by a crowd of nearly 3,000 people.
WhatsApp messages warning residents of possible kidnappers were circulating in Dhule for 10 to 15 days
"Someone starts the rumor and it goes on," Mr. Ramkumar, Superintendent of Police, Dhule, told CNN
"They (the victims) were traveling to different places to beg for alms," he added.
A police team reached the area after the lynching. Two policemen were injured when the crowd lit the police, Ramkumar said.
Police confirmed that 23 people had been arrested as part of the incident and that the police were looking for the rest of the 40 accused. Arrested Persons Indicted for Murder and Riots
Police suspended Internet and mobile facilities in Dhule District to try to stop the spread of fake messages.
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Earlier last week, three people were killed in the state of Tripura, northeast of the country, after the media social, including WhatsApp, rumors of kidnappings.
One of the men killed Thursday had been hired by the Tripura administration to make announcements by loudspeaker and warn residents against false rumors.
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