Superintendent of Police Amarnath Mishra, quoting villagers, said the five men were cornered by villagers and beaten to death with sharp weapons and stones.

The dead were identified as Suraj Mahato, Pappu, Prem, Ram Naik and Mahindra Lal Prasad.

Mahato, the alleged gang leader, had been recently released on bail, Mr Mishra said.

All the five had murder and extortion against them, he said.