Assam police on Monday arrested eight people after a couple was thrashed by villagers on the suspicion of having an illegitimate affair in Nagaon district.

The critically injured couple was handed over to the police on Sunday morning and were initially admitted to a local hospital at Kathiatoli, and later shifted to the Bhogeswari Phukanani Hospital at Nagaon.

The woman's head was shaven by the other ladies of the village and their clothes were torn. The couple is believed to have been tortured through the night.

"The police were intimated by some people during morning hours. Our team rushed to the spot and the villagers handed them over to us. They were badly injured and were admitted to a hospital," Nagaon district Additional Superintendent of Police (ASP) Ripul Das said.