Assam worker lynched by colleagues over theft suspicion in Kerala

A 25-year-old migrant worker from Assam was allegedly beaten to death by six of his co-workers near Perumbavoor in Kerala on Wednesday morning, in a case triggered by suspicion of mobile phone theft, police said.

The victim and the accused were employed at a plywood manufacturing unit in the Perumbavoor area. According to preliminary findings, the six men suspected the victim of attempting to steal one of their mobile phones, following which they assaulted him.

Police officials stated that after the assault, the accused themselves took the injured man to a nearby hospital. However, he succumbed to his injuries shortly after admission. Hospital authorities later alerted the police about the incident.

“All six accused have been taken into custody and are being questioned. Formal arrests are yet to be made, and a case is in the process of being registered,” an officer from the Perumbavoor police station said, adding that further details are being collected.

The accused are also natives of Assam, highlighting that both the victim and perpetrators were migrant workers employed at the same facility.

The incident has once again brought attention to the vulnerability of migrant labourers and the potential for violence arising from workplace disputes and unverified allegations.

Police said an investigation is underway to establish the exact sequence of events and determine legal action against those involved.