KUALA TERENGGANU, May 14 (Bernama) — A man, who was assaulted by a group of armed villagers after being caught red-handed stealing scrap metal in Kuala Berang here on Thursday, died at the Sultanah Nur Zahirah Hospital yesterday.
The unidentifed victim, in his 30s, succumbed to head and body injuries about 12.50am.
Initial police investigations revealed that on Thursday, the villagers, armed with metal rods, had taken the law into their hands and attacked the unemployed man in Kampung Sungai Ular about 10am.
They left the man unconscious before a police team arrived at the scene.
Terengganu Criminal Investigation Department chief Assistant Commissioner K. Manoharan (pic) said Saturday, several metal rods were found near the injured man when the police arrived at the village.
He believed the man was badly beaten up by the villagers before they contacted the police.
The case has been classified as murder.
Meanwhile, the police have detained three Myanmars in connection with assaulting a compatriot with a hammer after the latter had reprimanded them for being noisy early yesterday.
An accomplice, said to have been involved in the assault which occurred at 2.35am, is at large.
Manoharan said the 31-year-old victim was warded at the Dungun Hospital in a critical condition.
He said the police found a bloodstained hammer and bloodstains in a room rented by the Myanmars.
