Ranchi: Two men were beaten to death by a mob of villagers after allegedly attempting to steal goats in Jamshedpur district of Jharkhand in the early hours of Saturday.

According to a statement by Kashmir Media Service, one of the deceased, identified as Kushak Behera, died on the spot. The other, Bhola Nath Mahto, succumbed to his injuries at Mahatma Gandhi Medical College and Hospital later that morning. The incident occurred in the Jorsa village under the jurisdiction of Chakulia Police Station.

“Two villagers had entered the village allegedly to steal goats, during which, they were caught by the goat owner and were thrashed badly with the help of other villagers. Both the youths died in this incident, one of them died on the spot while the other one succumbed to his injuries during treatment in hospital,” said SP (Rural) Rishabh Garg while talking to reporters.

As of now, five people have been taken into custody, while others are being identified, he added.

Locals claimed that the two suspects, residents of Jeeerapara village in Chakulia, were caught attempting to steal goats from a house.

Several similar incidents of lynching over allegations of goat or other thefts have been reported from the state. In past incidents, such allegations were rejected by the family members of the deceased.