Suspected thief lynched

The villagers overpowered a suspected thief, identified as Ramcharitra (30) and battered him to death with lathis and other blunt objects last night, they said.

The deceased was among a group of 20 people who had gathered in the village to loot belongings from the households, they said.

The body has been sent for post-mortem and a case lodged in this connection, they added.

A .12 bore country-made pistol and ammunition were seized from the spot, they added.