India, Sept. 15 -- A 21-year-old Dalit youth was shot dead on Monday, allegedly by unidentified motorcycle-borne assailants near a petrol pump here, police said.

The victim, identified as Avneesh Kumar, was returning from his aunt's house with his friend when some youths surrounded him near the Sarsena petrol pump in the Chiraiyakot police station area and opened fire, they said. Hansraj, a BSc student accompanying Avneesh, said the assailants shot him after surrounding him. "I suspect a youth named Golu may be involved in the incident. Some youths saw Golu in the market near Sarsena," Hansraj alleged. Police said Avneesh was taken to the district hospital, where doctors declared him brought dead.

Dr SK Nitin, in-charge of the emergency...