A 30-year-old carpenter was stabbed to death allegedly by his cousin in broad daylight here on Thursday.

Police have arrested the assailant and suspect a family dispute led to the murder.

Sources said Shankar Das, a resident of Shantinagar in ward 36 of the Siliguri Municipal Corporation, was sitting at a local tea stall. Suresh, his cousin, reached the spot then.

“The duo had an altercation and suddenly, Suresh took out a dagger and repeatedly stabbed Shankar,” said a police officer.

As Shankar collapsed on the spot, Suresh fled the area. Local people came out for help and rushed him to Siliguri district hospital where he succumbed to his injuries soon.

The residents, who were horrified over the attack, informed Alok Bhakta, the ward coordinator (former councillor). He went to the spot and informed the police.

A team from Ashighar police outpost that is under Bhaktinagar police station went to the spot and initiated a probe.

After some time, Suresh was picked up and whisked away.

“Preliminary information suggests that the victim had some family dispute with his cousin Suresh who had attacked him earlier on a number of occasions. As I learnt about the incident, I informed the police who came and arrested Suresh,” said Bhakta.

Later in the evening, as the victim’s body reached the locality from the North Bengal Medical College and Hospital, the residents resorted to a road blockade, demanding exemplary punishment of the accused.

A police team went to the spot and it took them about an hour to persuade the residents to lift the blockade.

“We are waiting for post-mortem report. A case has been registered and investigation has started. Situation is under control in the area,” a police officer said.