Two individuals were killed in a mob beating over allegations of stealing an auto-rickshaw in Gangachara upazila of Rangpur early Sunday.

The deceased were identified as Rezaul, also known as Kana, 42, of Bagdohora village under Nohali union, and Sadikul Islam, 32, of Kolkanda union, in the upazila.

The incident occurred around 5:30am near the Teesta Large Irrigation Canal in the Giriyarpar area of Uttar Panapukur under Barabil union.

Police recovered the bodies from the scene, said Md Abdus Sabur, officer-in-charge of Gangachara Model Police Station.

Quoting local residents, he said Siddiqur Rahman Sohel, a resident of Bagpur Dakkhinpara in Barabil union, heard a noise coming from the shed where he kept his auto-rickshaw early in the morning. When he came out of his bedroom, he saw someone taking the vehicle away.

At the time, worshippers were offering Fajr prayers at a nearby mosque. Hearing Sohel's cries, several worshippers came out and chased the suspected thieves.

As they failed to catch them immediately, the locals were alerted using the mosque's loudspeaker, prompting more local residents to join the chase.

The two men allegedly left the auto-rickshaw about half a kilometre from the house near the irrigation canal and tried to escape through a paddy field.

Locals, however, surrounded them and beat them, leaving both dead at the scene.

OC Sabur said police rushed to the scene after receiving the information and completed the inquest before taking the bodies to the police station.

The bodies were later sent to Rangpur Medical College Hospital for autopsy, he said, adding that legal action was being taken over the incident.