In a shocking incident, a Dalit man was shot dead by his neighbour in Uttar Pradesh's Kaushambi district, about 250 kilometres from Lucknow, after he allegedly objected to spilling water before his house.
According to the police sources here, the incident happened on Wednesday night.
Sources said that the victim, identified as Ramnewaj Raidas, a resident of Dhumai village. He worked as a labourer in a nearby market. His neighbour, Rahul Kumar, pumped bullets at him after having an argument over spilling water before Ramnewaj's house.
Police said that Rahul was infuriated after Ramnewaj warned him against doing so in future. Rahul, who carried a country made pistol, shot Ramnewaj in a fit of rage killing him on the spot.
Two members of Ramnewaj's family, both women, also sustained injuries by pellets, police said. Rahul fled after perpetrating the crime, police officials said adding that a hunt was launched to trace him.
Senior officials reached the village and security had been deployed in the locality as tension prevailed there after the incident.
''We are keeping an eye on the situation,'' a senior police official said.
The injured were admitted to the hospital. Two police constables were also deployed at the hospital for the protection of the injured, the officials added.