STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE

JAIPUR, July 7. - A man killed a 50-year-old cobbler for entering a temple to pray at Bhadria village in the Kotri area of Bhilwara district.

Police said Ghasi Raggar had gone to the Dhunni Vale temple to offer dhok (obeisance) when Narayan Gujjar hit him with an iron rod, fracturing his arms and leg and inflicting head injuries. Ghasi was taken to a local hospital where he died within 24 hours. The killer, an OBC, has been arrested.

Though the incident took place on 2 June, it came into light only yesterday when Akhil Bhartiya Raggar Mahasabha members visited the area and threatened to begin a statewide agitation against the state government for its failure to protect lower-caste people.

"The chief minister didn't give any money from his relief fund to the victim's family which is a general practice. Officials had given an assurance that the government would pay some relief money, but nothing has been done even after a month,'' said the mahasabha president.