Bhubaneswar, Feb. 27 -- Police have arrested 72 persons in connection with the alleged assault on two SIR officials from West Bengal, who were reportedly attacked by locals on suspicion of being child kidnappers in Odisha's Balasore district.

According to sources, the incident took place on Wednesday at Raibania in Balasore. The two officials had reportedly entered the area by mistake while travelling towards Nayagram in neighbouring West Bengal.

Reports indicate that some local residents grew suspicious of their presence and accused them of being child lifters. The officials were allegedly manhandled and confined by a mob.

When police personnel arrived at the scene to rescue the two men, they reportedly faced resistance from members o...