ALOR SETAR: A resident at a private-run drug rehabilitation centre died after he was allegedly beaten up by a warden at the centre in Sintok after he tried to escape from the centre late Thursday (Nov 4) afternoon.

       The centre, which accommodates about 50 residents, is located at Bukit Kachi in Sintok.

       Kedah police chief Datuk Kamarul Zaman Mamat said the 31-year-old victim from Perlis was said to have escaped from the rehabilitation centre at about 3am on Thursday.

       He said the victim was found about 1km away and taken back to the rehabilitation centre.

       “At about 11am, a 46-year-old male warden allegedly started beating and kicking him.

       "Other residents present at the scene managed to calm him down," he said.

       "There were bruises to the victim's neck, chest and lower chin as well as scratch marks to the body," he said.

       Comm Kamarul added that the victim was later found unconscious while taking a shower at about 6.15pm Thursday.

       "The victim was taken to Jitra Hospital by a warden and several others but was confirmed dead upon arrival at the hospital," he said.

       The case will be investigated under Section 302 of the Penal Code for murder.

       "The suspect has been remanded for seven days from today," he said on Friday (Nov 5).