Dhupguri (West Bengal): A mentally deranged woman has been beaten up in Jalpaiguri district of North Bengal on suspicion of being child-lifter, police said today.

The incident occurred yesterday evening at around 8 pm at Barogharia Gram Panchayat area in Dhupguri Block.

Locals claimed thar the woman was spotted in the neighbourhood for the past few days and used candies to lure children.

"There have been incidents of child trafficking here. We found that the woman was carrying several candies," Samir Roy, a resident of Barogharia said.

The bruised woman was taken to a hospital yesterday and was released after initial treatment.

"We are investigating the incident. We have taken the mentally deranged woman into our custidy," Jalpaiguri Superintendent of Police Amitava Maity said.