Kataka: A young man suspected of attempting to steal goats was allegedly tied to an electric pole and assaulted by villagers at Botalama village under Banki police station limits in Kataka district on Tuesday morning.
According to reports, the incident took place during the early hours when the youth allegedly entered the goat shed of a local resident, Gundicha Dalei, with the intention of stealing livestock.
Dalei’s wife reportedly noticed the alleged intruder inside the shed and immediately raised an alarm, prompting nearby residents to rush to the spot. The villagers allegedly caught the youth red-handed before he could flee.
Enraged over the alleged theft attempt, the villagers are said to have tied the suspect to an electric pole and assaulted him. A local resident, requesting anonymity, claimed that repeated incidents of theft in the area had angered villagers, who chose to punish the suspect themselves instead of waiting for police action.
On receiving information about the incident, Banki police reached the village, rescued the youth from the mob and took him to the police station for questioning.
Police have initiated an investigation into the alleged attempted goat theft as well as the assault on the suspect by the villagers.
