Khuchidhora Scare in Udharbond: Woman Detained on Suspicion of Child Lifting

Khuchi Dhora panic has once again gripped the tea garden and remote areas of Cacar. Khuchi Dhora is the colloquial term for a child lifter. On Saturday (March 7), panic spread in the Udharbond area after locals detained a woman on suspicion of being a child lifter at the Nagar Tea Garden Point and later handed her over to the police. Blade, toys and chocolates were reportedly found inside her bag. When asked why she was roaming around the area, she told the locals about a fair that she was visiting, which further heightened their suspicion.

As per local sources, the incident took place at around 2 PM when residents noticed a woman sitting at the tea garden point for a long time, in what they described as a suspicious manner. When locals approached and questioned her, she reportedly failed to provide satisfactory answers, which increased suspicion among the people present there.

The woman was later identified as Rehena Begum, around 35 years old, the daughter of Abdul Rezak from Lakshman Nagar Part II in Hailakandi district.

Speaking to the media, Rehena Begum claimed that she had come to Silchar to visit a fair. However, she could not clearly explain how she ended up at the Udharbond location. She stated that someone had suggested that she come this way, where she might find a vehicle to reach her destination. She also said that she had walked to the area during the night after failing to find any transport.

Rehena Begum further stated that she is married and has two children, a son and a daughter. She denied the allegations of theft and said she works at a hotel and also sells bottles for a living.

Locals claimed that during a check of her belongings, they found several blades, chocolates and children’s toys in her bag. After this, some women in the locality detained her and handed her over to the Udharbond police.

When asked why she was carrying blades, the woman reportedly told the locals that she uses them to cut her nails and not to harm anyone. Residents also said that she was carrying a long red piece of cloth, which they found suspicious, as it could potentially be used to restrain someone. When questioned about it, she reportedly said that the cloth was meant for her son, although she did not clarify how it was used.

A local told the media that the people became alert after a social media message recently went viral, claiming that “Khuchidhoras” (the local term for child lifters) were active in the region and that children were being abducted from their homes. The resident added that when the woman’s identity did not match the common demography of the area, suspicion among the locals increased further. Some residents also suggested that the woman might be mentally unwell.

Meanwhile, the Udharbond police have taken the woman into custody and started an investigation. Police said that the exact circumstances behind the incident will become clear only after a proper inquiry.