Baripada, March 3: Four 10th-grade students from Herogada village in Mayurbhanj reportedly went out after exams and got involved in goat theft. While two managed to escape, the remaining two were caught by villagers, leading to a brutal assault.

Ignoring legal procedures, the villagers reportedly tied and severely beat the two students. Both sustained serious injuries and were rushed to Rairangpur Sub-Divisional Hospital. One student later succumbed to injuries, while the other remains in critical condition and has been transferred to Pandit Raghunath Murmu Medical College & Hospital in Baripada for further treatment.

The families of the affected students have denied their involvement in the theft, and the incident has sparked unrest in the local community. Police have taken custody of the injured students and are investigating the case.