Keonjhar: A youth was beaten to death by the villagers after he allegedly raped a divyang girl at Dabuna under Bamebari police limits in Keonjhar district on Friday.
The deceased has been identified as Ganesh Pingua.
According to sources, the incident took place when parents of the girl had gone out to collect wood and leaves. Finding her alone in the house, he allegedly raped her.
The girl narrated her ordeal to her mother once she was home. Her mother informed her relatives and the villagers about it. The irate villagers then caught hold of the youth and thrashed him black and blue after tying him to a tree.
On being informed, Bamebari police reached the spot and rescued Ganesh. He was admitted to Tisco Hospital in Joda, where he succumbed to his injures.
Meanwhile, police have detained five persons, including the father of the survivor, and further investigation is on.
