73 villagers arrested for brutal killing of 10 thieves

Police have arrested 73 villagers in connection with the brutal murder of 10 thieves in Yerrakote and Barlahalli villages near Chinthamani in Chikkaballapur.

The victims, part of an 11-member gang from Anantapur in Andhra Pradesh, had on Tuesday gone to Yerrakote to sell fake old coins, gold and other metals. Villagers believed that the gang members were thieves as they carrying sacks filled with coins and metal and killed nine of them on Tuesday.

One person, identified as Hanumanthu, 30, who was admitted to Nimhans, died while undergoing treatment on Wednesday morning.

The only surviving member of the gang has been identified as Gangadhar who undergoing treatment at Nimhans. Police said Gangadwas in critical condition.

The other deceased have been identified as Ramanji, 35, Ramesh, 38, Anjaneyulu, 35, Chinna, 35, Hari, 26, Bhaskar, 35, Peddareddy, 35, Narasimhareddy, 35, and Sudhakar Reddy, 35. The post-mortem examination was conducted in Chinthamani Government Hospital. Chinthamani police are investigating.
Police say that the gang was involved in cheating by selling fake gold. It had cases registered against it in Chinthamani police station.

The victims were accosted by villagers, who first killed six of them by setting them ablaze with the vehicle. Three others were beaten to death in Barlahalli village.

Police said that most of them were rowdy-sheeters in Anantapur, Andhra Pradesh. The gang was involved in many criminal cases in Andhra Pradesh, and Bagepalli and Cholur police stations in Chikkaballapur district.