Two youth hailing from Odisha sustained injuries when they were beaten up here by a mob on Saturday night on suspicion that they were child-lifters. A police patrol team rescued them and arranged for medical attention. The two, both residents of Kamarajar Street in Teynampet, are in hospital.

Gopal Sahoo, 25, Binod Vikari, 25, and Harikrishna Peha, 25, who work for a company that has taken up sub-contract work for the Metro Rail, were walking back home after dinner in Teynampet around 9.45 p.m. on Saturday when they spotted four-year-old Avinash running towards them. They lifted him playfully and left.

“The boy dropped a ₹10 currency note and Binod picked up the money and gave it to him. He then lifted him to play with him and immediately put him down,” said Gopal, speaking to The Hindu.

A 17-year-old boy, who had come to his uncle’s house situated near that of Avinash, asked the boy’s mother Varalakshmi if she knew the men. When she said no, he mistook them for kidnappers and alerted his cousin Balamurugan, 24, who was nearby.

Police claim that Balamurugan approached and asked them if they were kidnappers. Sensing danger, the three took to their heels. Gopal and Binod were stopped near Tiruvalluvar Salai by Balamurugan and a few others. “There were many men and they kicked and punched us on the face and stomach,” said Gopal.

Luckily, a police patrol vehicle came that way and rescued the two. They were rushed to the Government Kasturba Gandhi Hospital with injuries and from there to the Stanley Medical College hospital.

Doctors said that they sustained injuries on their face and jaw. “They are recuperating,” said a doctor at the hospital. Gopal said that they were shaken after the incident. “We came to Chennai to earn money and feed our family. Not to steal or harm others,” said Gopal.

The police have arrested Balamurugan and further investigation is on.

Earlier in May, a homeless man in Pulicat and a woman in Tiruvannamalai district were lynched.