Villagers of Motu Sangam in Gandhari mandal killed a leopard which strayed into their village on Thursday afternoon by raining blows with strong clubs. The died instantaneously. Upon being informed that the big cat had entered the village forest and police officials rushed to the spot. However, it was chased and beaten to death in a thorny bush where it sought shelter as the officials stood as mute spectators. Officials' explanation "A strong mob gathered around and overpowered us. We were left with no option other than watching the operation silently,' Chief Conservator of Forest S.C. Misra told The Hindu. The seven year-old male leopard weighing 57 kg had lost two paws on its rear left leg and had been sick for a month with injury. Otherwise it could have run away, he added. "We had information about its condition one month ago and we were on the lookout for it,' he said.