Villagers beat two suspected robbers dead

Two suspected robbers were beaten to death by villagers during an attempted robbery in Satkania upazila of Chattogram last night.

The identities of the deceased could not be known immediately.

Five people were hit by bullets as the "robbers" opened fire while trying to flee, police said.

The incident took place between 9:00pm and 10:00pm in the Chankhola area under ​​Eochia union, Satkania Police Station Inspector (Investigation) Sudipto Reza told The Daily Star.

"Several armed robbers arrived at a house in a CNG-run auto-rickshaw during prayers in the mosque. The villagers noticed them and started to chase them. At one point, the robbers fired at villagers while trying to escape.

"Two of them were caught by locals and beaten to death on the spot. Five people were injured in the gunfire and were taken to Banshkhali Upazila Health Complex," said Inspector Sudipto.

"Upon information, police and army personnel arrived at the scene. We are investigating the incident," he added.

Satkania Upazila Nirbahi Officer Milton Biswas told The Daily Star over the phone around 12:15am today, "Security forces informed me that when the robbers attempted the robbery, villagers announced the criminals' presence using the mosque's loudspeaker."

"As the robbers tried to flee, two were caught and beaten to death. I am heading there now and will be able to provide more details later," he said.