A youth died after he was allegedly stabbed with broken wine bottles and hit with bricks and wickets in Panchasayar, off the EM Bypass, at Monday midnight.

Biswarup Das, alias Bishu 25, had protested when he saw two persons hitting stray dogs in the neighbourhood, his father has said.

Police, however, suspect the murder was the outcome of a syndicate rivalry.

“The deceased was a supplier of construction materials. He was at loggerheads with some youths in the locality, also in the same business. A small incident may have triggered the altercation but the motive appears to be different,” an officer said.

Das had returned home to Nabadiganta around 11.45pm when he heard dogs barking loudly outside.

He stepped out to check, his father Debu Das told the police.

Das saw some youths allegedly beating up stray dogs and protested. “The youths started beating him up,” the father said.

Das fell unconscious and was taken to a private hospital, where he was declared dead.

Based on the father’s complaint, Panchasayar police started a murder case. Pradip Dhar, 38, and Jayanta Chakraborty, 22, of Ajoynagar were arrested.