Three Bangladeshi cattle lifters were allegedly beaten to death today by the villagers at Akhrabari, a tribal village near Indo-Bangla international border in Champahaor police station in Khowai district, about 55 km from here.
SP (Police Control) Uttam Majumder said, "About five cattle lifters armed with sharp knives and pipeguns entered into the house of a tribal and tried to lift cows around 3 am today."
When the house owner and other members of the family raised an alarm, the villagers encircled the Bangladeshi cattle lifters who in turn opened fire at the villagers injuring Bhanu Debbarma seriously, he said.
Majumder said, "The villagers lynched two cattle lifters on the spot and another died on way to hospital. The other members of the gang managed to escape and sneak into Bangladesh."
The deceased were identified as Abdul Barek, Sujan Mia and Akhal Mia.
The injured Indian villager was admitted to Khowai district hospital, whose condition was stated to be critical.
Police said the cattle lifters were from Chunarughat area of Moulavibazaar district of Bangladesh. SP of Khowai district Rati Ranjan Debbarma visited the spot.
