In a terrifying incident in Southern Tripura district on Sunday, an enraged mob killed a mentally retarded and drug addict youth after he allegedly killed a neighbour by striking him with an iron rod, police said.

A police official said that Asish Debnath (40), a resident of Kalacherra village in South Tripura’s Sabroom subdivision, who was a mentally sick patient, went hysterical on Sunday. Two of Asish’s neighbours tried to pacify him, but he became more violent and attacked the duo.

The official said that he hit one of them with an iron rod, killing Deshaprita Bhattacharjee on the spot, and the other one managed to flee.

"After killing Deshaprita Bhattacharjee, Asish took the body to a nearby pond and remained there for some time. Villagers informed the police, who also reached the spot immediately. Seeing the police van, Asish tried to flee while the police personnel and local people chased him," he said.

The official added that the angry mob caught him and severely assaulted him.

“Police took Asish to a nearby hospital, where the doctor declared him brought dead. Asish was arrested last year for attacking police personnel and was out on bail later,” he said.

He said that police registered two separate cases, and a probe is on.

“Both bodies have been sent for postmortem examination. A forensic team, along with an Executive Magistrate, senior police officials, including the Superintendent of Police (SP), has already visited the sites,” he said.

The official added that the double murder has triggered panic and tension in the entire Sabroom subdivision. Local people said that Asish had injured three other individuals.