Four people were allegedly lynched and another was seriously injured at a tribal village in Odisha's Koraput district on suspicion of being members of a child abduction group.
The villagers also set ablaze two four-wheelers and a motor-cycle in which the group entered the area late last night, SP (Koraput) Charan Singh Meena said.
The injured, a resident of Jeypore, was admitted at Jeypore hospital.
Police detained as many as 45 persons of three villages for interrogation in connection with the incident.
Preliminary investigation report indicated that the deceased hailed from Madhya Pradesh and they were suspected to be involved in ganja smuggling, Meena said.
"Over a quintal ganja was seized from the spot where the vehicle was set aflame. From driving license of the driver it is learnt that they belong to Madhya Pradesh. However, we are cross-checking it with our Madhya Pradesh counterparts," he said.
The officer said the quartet was attacked with stones and bamboos and they succumbed at the spot.
The bodies were found lying scattered on the Balia bridge.
"During interrogation the injured person said that the group was involved in ganja smuggling. Investigation is on," the SP said.
