Six of family killed, villagers lynch one of accused in MP

BHOPAL: As many as six persons, including two minors, from a family were killed and six others injured by two brothers, one of whom was lynched by villagers while they hid in a house after committing the crime, in Mandala district, 466 kilometres from Bhopal, on Wednesday, said police.

The second accused was arrested after police fired at him, injuring him, when he allegedly attacked the police team. A land dispute is said to be the reason behind the attack on the family, said police.

The incident took place at Maneri village, 63 kilometres away Mandla district headquarters. The accused, Harish Soni, 36, and Santosh Soni, 34, residents of Maneri village attacked first their cousins Rajendra Soni, who is a BJP worker, and Vinod Soni’s families with swords and later attacked other relatives and villagers.

The accused, who were in inebriated state, threw chilli powder in the eyes of the victims before attacking them with swords, said V Rao, inspector general of police (IGP), Balaghat.

Police arrested Harish Soni while Santosh Soni was beaten to death by villagers, said Rao. Police have begn an investigation in the case .