A tribal youth was bludgeoned to death near Raiganj in North Dinajpur on Monday when he reportedly tried to stop criminals from snatching his cellphone, the murder sparking tension in the area.

On Tuesday, a section of villagers ransacked and torched a poultry farm from where his body was found late on Monday. Police brought the situation under control.

Sources said murder victim Banu Baskey, 25, was a migrant worker who came from Patnour under Dalkhola police station of the district. On Monday, he had come to his in-laws’ place in Piplan village on the outskirts of Raiganj town.

Anil Mardi, his brother-in-law, said: “He had gone to visit a relative’s place on Monday and while he was returning to our home, some criminals intercepted him and tried to snatch his cellphone. As he resisted, they hit him with bricks, stones and sticks, till he died. They then left his body in the poultry farm.”

Later at night, his body was found on the farm.

On Tuesday morning, as the news spread, many agitated residents stormed into the farm, and ransacked and torched it.

“The poultry farm has become a hub of goons. They consume liquor and drugs here every day but the police hardly take action. Such items are also sold from there. All this must stop,” said Kala Tudu, a resident.

Puran Barman, another resident, spoke on similar lines. “Those associated with the murder should be arrested and punished. Time and again, we have informed the police and the administration about illegal activities at the farm. Yet, nothing was done,” he said.

A team from Raiganj police station rushed to the poultry farm area.

A murder probe has begun. No arrest has been made yet.