India: Dalit leader killed in Raichur, police suspect old rivalry

A 40-year-old Dalit leader was hacked to death near a village in India by four unidentified miscreants on Monday morning, local sources have reported.

The deceased, identified as Prasad, a resident of Rabbankal village in Raichur District, is said to have been a close aide of Minister SN Boseraju and had actively participated in Dalit movements.

Raichur District Superintendent of Police has said the victim is suspected to have been murdered because of an old rivalry.

Formerly referred to as untouchables, Dalits are members of the lowest class in the traditional Hindu social hierarchy having, in traditional Hindu belief, the quality of defiling by contact a member of a higher caste.