DHAKA, Nov 8: Eight suspected robbers were lynched and five were critically injured when a mob caught them as they were on an attempt to rob an engine-run boat at a char land in the River Januma, some 195 km from the capital city.

The residents of the char, aided by the police, caught them after a chase and beat them up. One of them died on the spot, and the rest died on the way to hospital, reports reaching Dhaka say.

An engine boat started from Chowhali ghat for Sirajganj town at about 6:40am, with 30 passengers, including some businessmen on the board.

A sub-inspector and four constables of the Chowhali Police Station were also among them, the police said.

When the boat reached near Char Dighulia at about 8:00am boatman Abdur Rahman saw a gang of about 13 was approaching them from opposite direction and told it to the policemen on the board.

Sub-inspector Taskin asked other borders on the boat to prepare to face the strangers if they try to rob them. The police officer also took other police behind the passengers.