A Bilaspur masked mob attack left five members of a family injured after more than 20 armed men allegedly stormed a residential area in Chhattisgarh’s Bilaspur district late at night and assaulted residents with sticks and rods, police said. The incident took place in the Chingrajpara area under Sarkanda police station limits and was reportedly triggered by a dispute over men being stopped from urinating outside a house.

The attack, captured on CCTV cameras installed in the locality, has since surfaced on social media and is being widely circulated. Police have registered a case and launched a search for the accused, who remain absconding.

Family Targeted At Night

According to the complaint filed by the victims, the violence began around midnight when Sanat Sarathi, a resident of Chingrajpara, stepped out for a walk after dinner. He alleged that Vicky Ahirwar and several associates confronted him, abused him over an old dispute and threatened to kill him.

Soon after, the group allegedly attacked him with sticks. Sarathi sustained injuries to his head, hands and legs. His wife, Rekha Sarathi, was also assaulted when she tried to intervene and suffered injuries to her leg.

Three others Bedu Vishwakarma, Soni Singh Thakur and Tilak Das Manikpuri were also injured in the attack. Local residents said four women were among those hurt as panic spread across the neighbourhood.

CCTV Video Emerges

CCTV footage from the area shows a large group of men arriving with their faces covered and carrying sticks. The men can be seen entering the lane together before allegedly attacking the family and others present at the spot.

The video has become central to the police investigation. Officers said they are examining footage from nearby cameras to identify each suspect and establish the sequence of events.

Sources indicated that the visuals clearly show more than 20 men involved in the assault, suggesting the attack was planned rather than spontaneous.

Trigger Behind Violence

Residents told police the attack was linked to an argument that took place two days earlier. According to locals, some men from the accused group were urinating in front of the victim’s house when family members objected.

The objection reportedly led to a heated exchange between both sides. Investigators suspect the accused later returned in a group to settle the score. Police said the assault appears to be a case of retaliation stemming from personal enmity and a neighbourhood dispute.

Police Begin Probe

Sarkanda police have registered an FIR against the accused on charges related to unlawful assembly, assault and criminal intimidation. Officials said teams have been formed to trace those involved in the Bilaspur masked mob attack.

A senior police officer said investigators are verifying the identities of the accused through CCTV footage and local intelligence inputs. Raids are expected in connected areas to detain the suspects. No arrests had been reported till the filing of this report.

Local Fear Grows

The incident has triggered concern among residents in Chingrajpara, where locals said the scale and manner of the attack created fear in the neighbourhood. Residents said the mob entered the locality in a coordinated manner, raising concerns over law and order.

The viral video has intensified public attention, with many on social media demanding swift arrests. The incident has also added to concerns over rising street violence in residential pockets, making it a Public Interest Story in the latest India News Update cycle.

What Happens Next

Police said the investigation will rely heavily on CCTV evidence, witness statements and identification of those seen in the footage. Authorities are expected to make arrests once individual roles are confirmed.