Mangaluru : A gang of five assaulted two men on Wednesday at Melanthabettu of Belthangady taluk believing them to be cattle thieves, according to the police, which rescued the victims. Police arrested five people in connection with the incident.

The victims, identified as Abdul Rahim and Musthafa, residents of Kupetti in Belthangady sustained grievous injuries and are undergoing treatment at a private hospital in Mangaluru. The police have arrested Rajesh Bhat, Rakesh Bhat, Guruprasad, Lokesh and Chidanand for the assault, while few others are yet to be arrested.

The incident took place when the victims, who are colleagues, were returning home in a pick-up truck after repairing the vehicle at a garage in Church Road, Belthangady. Upon reaching near Melanthabettu, around 10.45pm, two unidentified persons arrived on bikes and asked them to stop the vehicle. Soon, few others arrived in a car and started assaulting them and accusing them of cattle theft and illegal transportation.

The victims were assaulted with clubs and footwear. The mob also damaged their vehicle, said the police.

Police reached the spot a few minutes after the incident. By then a large mob had gathered.