POLICE have detained three men to assist in investigations into the incident where Penang Hindu Endowment Board (PHEB) executive director M. Ramachandran was seriously injured by a group of men at his house in Taman Alma, Machang Bubok, near Bukit Mertajam, last Thursday.

Penang police chief Mohd Shuhaily Mohd Zain said the three, aged between 45 and 51, were arrested separately in Seberang Perai on Sunday.

“In total, statements of 14 witnesses were recorded and three men were detained to assist in the probe into the assault of the 70-year-old man,” he told a press conference in George Town today.

“I cannot comment further as police are still investigating the incident, including identifying the motive of the attack… whether it (the incident) had anything to do with PHEB.”

He said the case was being investigated under section 326 of the penal code.

In the 7pm incident, Ramachandran suffered severe injuries to his neck, thighs, back of the head and body after being attacked by four men using sharp weapons as the victim alighted from his car and about to enter his house.

Ramachandran was sent to Bukit Mertajam Hospital before being transferred to a private hospital in George Town for surgery and is reported to be in stable condition.

Earlier at the press conference, Shuhaily said the Penang police contingent received a donation of 500 food baskets from the Penang Crime Consciousness and Public Safety Society (CCPSS), which will be distributed to needy families in the state.

He said the donation was handed over by CCPSS chairman Mohamad Anil Shah Abdullah and the food baskets will be distributed in phases from time to time.

“We are taking this donation initiative with CCPSS as one of the efforts to reach out to the community. In addition, we hope to alleviate the burden of families in need as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic,” he added. – Bernama, July 28, 2021.