Dalit man shot dead in UP village

A 22-year-old Dalit man was shot dead allegedly by upper caste people at Fatehpur village here following a dispute, police said today.
The incident occurred last night under Nanauta police station area following an argument between between the two communities, they said, adding the accused have been arrested.
Last night, Narendra had gone to answer nature's call near the panchayat office in the village, which the people of the upper caste community objected to and allegedly hurled abuses and hit him.
Johny, who was staying with his relatives in the village, opened fire at Narendra with his country-made pistol, leaving him dead on the spot, Superintendent of Police (Rural) Jagdish Sharma said.

The victim's father and uncle who tried to intervene in the matter were also thrashed by the other group, the SP said.
In his complaint with the police, Narendra's father has named Johny, Mohan Singh, Surendra Lal and Pankaj.

Police have registered a case under IPC sections 302, 323, 504 and the Act to prevent atrocities against SC and ST people. Mohan Singh, Surendra and Pankaj have also been arrested, Sharma said.
Angered by the incident, the villagers had kept Narendra's body on the road and blocked traffic.
The body was later sent for postmortem, police said.
Police and PAC personnel have been deployed in the village, they said.