THE country's murder toll now stands at 270, following three murders.

Kamraj "Tiger'' Lochan, who was beaten and robbed by three bandits on August 14, died on Tuesday, while the other murders occurred around 1 p.m. yesterday.

According to police, Lochan, a 63-year-old watchman of Gadjadar Street, Sangre Chiquito, was at home with his nephew, Ronnie Lochan, when three men entered and announced a holdup around 2 p.m. on August 14.

One of the men began beating Lochan about his head with a firearm, while the other men beat him with pieces of iron, police said. Lochan was robbed of a cellphone valued at $100, and $83. Ronnie was unharmed. The men then escaped on foot.

Lochan managed to untie himself and made his way to the Sangre Grande Police Station. He was taken to the Sangre Grande Hospital, where he was treated and discharged.

In a telephone interview with the Express yesterday, a relative of Lochan's said she believes his death was linked to a life insurance policy taken out on him.

She said Lochan came to her home on Monday, six days after he was beaten and robbed, complaining of head and chest pains.

"I know the truth and I can't talk because I scared. He (name called) sent two bandits to kill him and I told him not to go and do no work there because them people take out an insurance (policy) on you," the relative cried.

On Tuesday, after complaining to his relative, Lochan returned to the hospital, where he underwent a CT scan. He died while undergoing treatment.

Lochan's relative said Lochan told her the bandits asked for him by nickname before beating him about the body. The relative said she last saw Lochan on Monday, after he came to her complaining of neck pains.

The second murder happened around 12.30 p.m. yesterday along the Eastern Main Road, Arima. Fifty-four-year-old Kumar Sooknanan, a bailiff, of Cunupia, was shot dead following a robbery attempt on the intersection of the Priority Bus Route and Arima Old Road.

According to police, Sooknanan had stopped behind another vehicle, which was being robbed, when the bandit's gun went off, hitting Sooknanan, who was unaware that a robbery was taking place.

Sooknanan was taken to the Arima Health Facility, where he was pronounced dead on arrival.

Snr Sup David Abraham, Supt Nelson, Asp Craig, Inspectors Baptiste and Lawrence, along with Sgt Hoskins, visited the scene and conducted enquiries.

In the third killing, 39-year-old Simeon Road, Petit Valley, resident Richard St Rose was shot dead following an argument over drug turf.

According to police, St Rose, who was known to them to be involved in the drug trade, was standing at Fourth Street, Simeon Road, when he and another man began arguing. The killer left and returned with a firearm and shot St Rose, eyewitnesses told police. As he slumped to the ground, his killer stood over him and fired again.

Snr Supt Ishmael David and a party of officers visited the scenes and conducted enquiries.