Police have yet to arrest anyone in connection with a mob beating that left eight alleged robbers killed and four others injured in Araihazar upazila of Narayanganj on Thursday.

"We are investigating the incident but could not identify anyone," said Shakhawat Hossain, officer-in-charge of Araihazar police, around 7:00pm yesterday.

Asked about mobile footages of the mass beating availed by different media outlets, the OC claimed they could not gather any. Panic has meanwhile gripped the residents of Purindabazar and nearby villages under Satgram union, as several thousand unnamed villagers were made accused in a case filed with Araihazar police.

Many, even those who did not take part in the mob beating, have left their houses in fear of arrest and harassment by the police.

Mob killings continue unabated in the country as offenders seldom face trial in a society that seems to be plagued by a culture of impunity, say rights activists.

According to rights body Ain O Salish Kendra, more than 100 people are killed in mob beating every year.

Earlier on Thursday, a mob, brought together by a call over loudspeakers from mosques, beat up eight alleged robbers to death when they were taking away rice sacks from a store at Purindabazar in Araihazar.

Of the eight killed, identities of six bodies have so far been confirmed by their families. After conducting autopsies at Narayanganj General Hospital, police have handed over the bodies of Rony, Jewel, Rubel, Sohag, Dulal andTopu Hasan alias Soton to their families.

Two other bodies were kept at the mortuary for identification, the police said.

Soton's elder brother Khokon Mia told reporters that Soton used to help his father in farming in Bhatibarera village of Mymensingh. "He told us on Tuesday that he was going to Gazipur with his friends. He might be involved with the crime being influenced by his friends."

Health of the injured is reported to have been improving. They have been receiving treatment at Araihazar Upazila Health Complex, said the OC quoting the doctors.

Many alleged the villagers were fuming due to repeated robbery incidents, but police were allegedly showing negligence towards the incidents.

At least 10 major robberies have been committed at businesses and houses in Purindabazar and nearby areas this year.

Jahirul Islam, assistant superintended of police in Narayanganj, said Lokman, one of the injured, told the police that 18 people were involved in the robbery led by Shawkat alias Sohag.