An angry mob killed a man and injured two others on the suspicion of being child lifters in Murki village in Aurad taluk, in Bidar district on Friday.
The deceased Mohammed Azam and the two others injured Talha Ismail and Mohammed Salman all hail from Hyderabad. They were travelling along with their friend Mohammed Bashir to Handikera village in Aurad taluk. Mr Bashir, who works at Hyderabad, had invited them to his native village.
While driving to Handikera they took a break near Balkut Tanda to have some snacks. They had reportedly offered chocolates brought by Mr. Ismail, who had returned recently from Qatar, to schoolchildren. The residents mistook them for child lifters they started assaulting them, despite Mr. Bashir trying to explain the situation.
Mr. Bashir and his friends managed to escape in the car, while the locals reportedly called their friends in nearby Murki village to stop the car. They in turn blocked the road with a fallen tree.
As the car approached Murki, it hit the blockade and skidded after which a mob dragged Azam and hit him with stones and sticks. Three policemen rushed to the spot to contain the mob. However, Azam, who was hit on his head, died on the spot.
Police rescued the other three persons and admitted to a hospital in Bidar. On Saturday, they have been shifted to Hyderabad for further treatment.
The Aurad police has registered a case against unknown person under various sections. No arrests have been made so far.
IGP Murugan and SP Devraj are expected to visit the village later in the day. The police is planning to conduct a community meet to dispel rumours spread through social media on child lifting. “We know that villagers made phone calls. The role of social media is being investigated,” Mr. Devraj said.