in Retipur village in the district in the wee hours here today, police said.
Some thieves had come to the village to steal cattlehead when the villagers woke up hearing some noise and got hold of three of them, police said.
Among them, two died on the spot after they were severely beaten up the villagers while another of their accomplice managed to fled from the spot, they said.
A manhunt has been launched to nab the absconding accused, they added.