Bhubaneswar: A 15-year-old, a Class IX student, was allegedly lynched by villagers on suspicion of theft in Mayurbhanj district, while his friend was battling for life after being beaten up by a mob.
Police arrested 12 people after a video of the assault spread on social media.
The 15-year-old from a village under the jurisdiction of Padambhar police station and his friend were tied up and brutally beaten by a group of residents of Indukudi village under Tiring police station area in Mayurbhanj on Monday over allegations that they had stolen goats, police said.
“A kangaroo court was held in the village where the two boys were found guilty before being assaulted with sticks even as they pleaded for mercy,” said a police officer from Tereng police station who reached the scene and rescued the duo in critical condition.
“They were first taken to a hospital in Rairangpur and later referred to Baripada for advanced treatment. The 15-year-old succumbed to his injuries during treatment. The other boy remains in a critical condition.”
Based on the viral video and subsequent investigation, 12 people were arrested.
Police said rumors of a theft had spread in the area over the past few days, prompting villagers to take the law into their own hands. Police said attempts were made to suppress the incident, but the assault came to light after a video clip appeared on the Internet.
