7 arrested for thrashing youth in Kolkata

As many as 17 people have been arrested here for allegedly thrashing a youth suspecting him to be a thief, police said on Saturday.

The 24-year-old was wearing an attire covering his head for which people took him to be a thief, a senior officer of Kolkata Police said.

"He was rescued by the police and is undergoing treatment at a private hospital. The situation is under control," the police said.

On Friday, the Kolkata police said they been asked to take strong action against rumour mongers. Around 40 people have been arrested and 22 cases lodged in the state.

A 'monitoring cell' has also been set up by the state government at the secretariat to check and control rumours inciting violence in the state.