An 18-year-old was bludgeoned to death allegedly by a grocer in Jalpaiguri district on Wednesday morning for not clearing a due of Rs 600.

Police have arrested the accused and are probing the case. Local residents have demanded an exemplary punishment of the assailant.

Manjil Oraon, a day wage worker of Turibari in Odlabari gram panchayat, had bought grocery items worth around Rs 600 from the shop of Surya Pradhan on credit seven days ago. The shop is located near Turibari Junior High School in the Malbazar subdivision.

Sources said Pradhan had been insisting since then that Manjil clear the due.

There are reports that Pradhan had even threatened Oraon with dire consequences if the due was not cleared at the earliest.

“Oraon was supposed to pay the money on Monday but couldn’t raise the amount. Yesterday evening, Pradhan went to his house and threatened him,” said Naresh Oraon, a resident.

When Manjil left home around 5 on Wednesday morning to join his work, Pradhan attacked him with bricks and stones. Police said Pradhan had hit Manjil on the head and as the youth collapsed on the ground, the attacker fled the spot.

Dewan Oraon, who is also a worker like Manjil, was waiting for him at the local bus stand.

As Manjil didn’t reach there on time, Dewan started searching for him. On his way to Manjil’s home, he found the youth lying on the ground, bleeding profusely.

Dewan raised an alert and some neighbours rushed for help. He died on the way to the hospital.

As the news spread, a section of locals got agitated and vandalised Pradhan’s house.

A team from Malbazar police station reached the spot and brought the situation under control. Soon, Pradhan was also nabbed.

“It is surprising that the youth was murdered for a mere Rs 600. We hope the police will register a murder case and ensure that the shopowner is severely punished,” said Manjula Lama, the pradhan of Turibari panchayat who visited the spot.

Senior police officers said they were interrogating Pradhan.