Ranchi, March 5 (IANS) A father and daughter were killed in Jharkhand's West Singhbhum district as the girl allegedly stole an egg from a neighbour's house, media reports said Friday.

Mugai Sirka and his seven-year-old daughter Neetu were killed Wednesday at Pertoll village in West Singhbhunm district, around 230 km from here.

According to reports, Neetu had allegedly stolen an egg from her neighbour, after which at least seven villagers surrounded Mugai's house and started throwing stones. When Mugai asked for an explanation, the villagers started bashing him. Both father and daughter were first beaten and later strangled.

Their heads were crushed with heavy stones and their bodies were hidden in a nearby jungle, reports said.

Mugai's wife Sumitra Thursday informed the police about the incident and lodged a complaint against five villagers. The accused are absconding. Police have sent the bodies for post mortem examination.