Locals caught a man red-handed reportedly stealing cows and beat him to death in Habiganj in the early hours of Monday.
The deceased, Masum Mia, 28, hailed from Morapara village under Noapara union of Madhabpur upazila, confirmed Madhabpur police OC Iqbal Hossain.
Locals said in the early hours of Monday, a group of thieves tried to steal cows from one Matiur Rahman’s house from the upazila’s Chhatiyan Piyan village.
Sensing their presence, his family started a raucous and his neighbours and locals chased and captured Masum and beat him to pulp.
Being informed, a team from Chhatian police station reached the spot and rescued Masum from the unruly mob and sent him to Habiganj Sadar Hospital. Masum died in the hospital while receiving treatment.
According to Madhabpur OC Iqbal, Masum was an expert cattle thief. The locals captured him red-handed and beat him to death.