Kochi: An Assam native was beaten to death near Perumbavoor here on Wednesday morning by six of his work colleagues, 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 all six accused have been taken into custody and are being questioned.

Currently, they have not been formally arrested and a case is yet to be registered, the officer said.

"We are collecting all details," he said.

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