A youth was called out of his home for talks, offered lunch and stabbed on Tues- day morning, sending chill down the spine of tens of curious onlookers.

The youth, identified as Mohammad Gulfam (26), later died at Darbhanga Medical College and Hospital (DMCH).

According to police sources, Mohammad Guddu alias Surya, known to Gulfam, called up the youth, a resident of the Bakarganj area of the town, around 175km northeast of Patna.

Gulfam, pursuing diploma in engineering at an institute in Bangalore, went to Bakarganj Chowk and had lunch followed by tea with Surya.

Suddenly, Surya took out a knife and stabbed Gulfam in his neck from behind. Gulfam, enjoying vacation at home, was rushed to the DMCH in serious condition. He succumbed to his injuries later in the afternoon.

Sadar subdivisional police officer Niraj Kumar told The Telegraph: “Gulfam’s father Mohammad Manjar Ahmad has registered a case against Surya, also a resident of Bakarganj. A case of murder under Section 302 of the Indian Penal Code has been registered at Laheria Sarai police station.”

Kumar said: “After postmortem at DMCH, the victim’s body was handed over to the family for final rites. Surya, the accused, is absconding.”

Local residents blocked the road near Darubhatti Chowk for nearly one-and-a-half hours protesting against the murder.

The sources said a love affair might be one of the main reasons leading to the murder of Gulfam.