Three persons have been arrested for allegedly murdering a Dalit in a Haryana town that led to widespread violence and arson in the area on August 28, the police said. Angry Dalits fought with the police, set ablaze a police check-post and damaged buses in protest against the killing of Rakesh alias Lara acquitted in a murder that triggered caste clashes in Gohana town of Sonepat district two years ago.

Rakesh was shot on August 27 by three motorcycle-borne men when he and one Vikki were going to meet another friend.

Senior Superintendent of Police Navdeep Singh Virk told reporters that though Sanjay of Butana village, Naresh alias Neshi of Busana village and Dinesh of Mundlana village have been nabbed, the main accused Dinesh alias Deenu of Khanda village and Prahlad were absconding.

The arrested trio was produced before a magistrate who remanded all of them in police custody for five days.

Rakesh was acquitted in the murder of Baljit Siwach, a Jat financer of Garhwal village on August 27, 2005 after which over 50 houses of Dalits were torched in its 'Balmiki' colony.

SSP Virk said the arrested trio has been involved in many cases of murder, loot, dacoity, assault and escape from police custody. He said the deceased, Rakesh, was involved in eight criminal cases with the last being registered against him on the complaint of one Sawan of Balmiki Basti in Gohana.