Bhubaneswar, Dec. 3 -- A land dispute in Toriabandha village under Balanga police limits in Puri district escalated into a fatal assault on Tuesday after a man was allegedly chased and beaten to death in the middle of the village by his nephew.

According to reports, the victim, identified as Amiyananda Pradhan, was rushed to the District Headquarters Hospital in critical condition, where doctors declared him dead on arrival. Police have launched an investigation and confirmed that the accused has fled.

Sources reported that the assault took place following a prolonged dispute over ownership and division of family land. Witnesses told police that the accused allegedly dragged the victim to the village square and assaulted him severely be...