India, Sept. 13 -- Villagers in Mayurbhanj district of Odisha tied a woman and two youths to an electric pole on Friday and mercilessly beat them on suspicion of being in an illicit relationship. The assault, captured on video, has gone viral, sparking outrage over the brutality.

The incident took place in Begunia village under Jashipur police limits of Karanjia sub-division of Mayurbhanj district. According to the police, the woman had invited two of her relatives from nearby Kashipal village to help her with purchases from the local market. After returning home around 4pm on a motorcycle, the three were intercepted by locals along with the woman's family members.

The trio was dragged to an open area, tied to a pole, and beaten with st...