Five thugs mobbed to dead

MEDAN, North Sumatra: Five alleged thugs in the Percut Sei Tuan area, Deli Serdang regency were mobbed to death by local residents on Thursday.

Police said the residents were angered as the alleged crooks often robbed and extorted money from them.

On Thursday, the five men allegedly looted a fish pond, belonging to a local resident. Upon hearing the news, nearby residents came and mobbed the five thugs to death at the scene.

North Sumatra Police chief Insp. Gen. Hotma Siagian confirmed the brutal mobbing but regretted the action, saying that the residents had taken the law into their own hands.

One of the residents, who allegedly took part in the mobbing, has been detained for questioning, Antara reported. (emf)