Cuttack, Oct. 30: Tension prevailed after a drunken man allegedly stabbed a 14-year-old schoolboy to death today at Mahidarpara in the Sadar police limits.

The deceased, Ajay Das, 14, a Class IX student of Mahidharpara Government High School, was on his way to school at Jagannathpur after the recess, when the incident occurred.

The accused, Suresh Mohapatra, 35, attacked Ajay with a knife and allegedly stabbed him thrice in chest and stomach before escaping from the spot. Angered over the incident, local people ransacked a liquor shop in the vicinity of the crime spot.

An eyewitness said Ajay had stopped near a vendor and there was an argument between him and Suresh. Later, Suresh attacked him with the knife. The local people rushed Ajay to Mahdidharpara Community Health Centre. But, he died on way to the hospital.

“The exact motive behind the murder is unclear and we are making efforts to nab him,” said deputy commissioner of police S. Praveen Kumar.

The local people, however, suspected family dispute. But, one of Ajay’s family members said they had no enmity with anyone. “We are not aware why our son Ajay was killed. But, the attacker was in a drunken state and had beaten Ajay before stabbing him,” said the victim’s father Pratap Das.

Hundreds of students of Ajay’s school staged a demonstration. “Ajay was a good student and not involved in any illegal activities,” said his batchmate Dilip Sahu.

“The rise in crimes in our area and other parts of the state is mainly because of mushrooming of liquor shops. Despite guidelines, the shops are being set up near educational institutions and other public places,” said villager Kartik Das.