Bhubaneswar: A youth was allegedly beaten to death with a cricket bat in Sonepur district of Odisha today.

The deceased has been identified as Santosh Hati of Mendha village under Tarabha police limits in Sonepur. The accused has absconded soon after the incident, sources said.

According to the villagers, Santosh and the accused got engaged in an argument over some issues today afternoon. The accused smashed Santosh’s head by hitting him repeatedly with a cricket bat. Santosh died on the spot, they said.

The accused also attacked another youth who tried to protect Santosh, sources said.

“The incident could be the fallout of a past enmity,” said a villager.