Kochi | Six Assam natives were arrested on Wednesday for allegedly beating to death their colleague, also hailing from the same state, suspecting him of trying to steal one of their phones, police said.

An officer of Perumbavoor police station said that the arrest of the six accused --Alauddin (32), Zakir Hussain (42), Habibuddin (32), Muzammil Haq (27), Hachen Ali (37) and Minarul (32) -- was recorded after they were questioned.

The victim -- 25-years-old Nur Hussain -- and the other six accused worked at a plywood company at Perumbavoor, police said.

The incident occurred in the morning at the common accommodation where the accused and other migrant workers lived near the company, the officer said.

"After beating up the victim, the accused took him to the hospital where he succumbed to his injuries. The hospital informed us," the officer said.