Kolkata, Oct 1 (IANS) A man died Friday after he was severely beaten by a group of villagers in West Bengal’s East Midnapore district for allegedly stealing hens from a poultry farm, police said.

Sukdeb Das, a resident of Mangalbari village, was rescued while being thrashed Thursday night by a group of people in Panskura. Admitted to the Panskura block primary hospital for treatment of injuries sustained in the attack, he died Friday morning.

‘He went to a poultry farm to steal hens but was caught in the act by some people,’ a senior police officer said.

‘We have initiated an investigation into the incident,’ East Midnapore Police Superintendent Ashok Biswas said.