Migrant labourer dies in Kerala after being thrashed for ‘stealing’ hen

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: A migrant labourer from West Bengal died in south Kerala’s Kollam district on Monday, days after he was attacked by three men for allegedly stealing a hen, police said.

According to police, 50-yearold Manik Roy died of the head injury he received during the attack that took place three weeks back.

Roy, who was working as a mason, had been living with his relatives in the district’s Anchal village for the past three years. On June 24, when he was returning home after buying a live chicken he was approached by two men who questioned him about where he got the bird from, police said.

The duo was joined by another man and all three began quizing Roy. Not finding his answers satisfactory, the three began thrashing Roy, accusing him of being behind a number of thefts in the area.

Police officials said Roy received serious injuries in the assault and reached a local hospital for medical assistance. Hospital authorities later alerted the police and two persons identified as K Sasi and Mohamed Altaf were arrested the next day. Another person involved in the attack is absconding. Though the local hospital advised him to seek better treatment, Roy began going to work soon after the attack.

Police said he collapsed on Sunday and was rushed to Thiruvananthapuram medical college hospital where he succumbed. Later the post-mortem report confirmed that he died of head injury. A senior police officer said the arrested were booked under relevant sections of the Indian Penal Code, including 302 (murder).