A man was killed and four others seriously injured after a mob attacked them on suspicion of cattle theft in Kokrajhar district, Assam, police said on Tuesday.

The victims, workers associated with a local road construction project, were returning from a site inspection in the Aoudang area late Monday night. As their vehicle approached the Gouri Nagar-Mashing Road stretch, villagers stopped it, suspecting them of stealing cattle. In the ensuing chaos, the vehicle skidded off the road.

The mob assaulted the occupants and set the vehicle on fire, causing severe burn injuries, according to police. Sikhna Jwhwlao Bismit, also known as Raja and son-in-law of contractor Moranda Basumatary, succumbed to his injuries at the hospital.

The four injured—Prabhat Brahma, Jubiraj Brahma, Sunil Murmu, and Mahesh Murmu—are undergoing treatment at Kokrajhar Medical College and Hospital. Doctors described Prabhat Brahma’s condition as critical.

Police, fire services, and emergency teams quickly responded to control the situation. Several people have been detained for questioning, and a detailed investigation is underway