Lucknow, July 15 (IANS) A Dalit couple was hacked to death over a property dispute in Rae Bareili district of Uttar Pradesh, police said Tuesday. Gurcharan, a farmer in Rasoolpur village, about 80 km from here, was killed Monday evening by a group of people with whom he had a land dispute.

“A group led by Virendra Singh attacked Gurcharan with axes and knives while he was working in his field. His wife Rajwati came forward to help him but was also killed,” Rae Bareili Superintendent of Police Tarun Gaba told IANS over the phone.

A first information report (FIR) was lodged against five people, including Virendra Singh. All the suspects are absconding.

In a similar incident July 10, a Dalit youth was shot dead in Barabanki district over property dispute. The killers also chopped off his head and took it away. Dalits are among the most oppressed social groups in India.

The head was recovered Tuesday from a pond in Sultanpur district after the arrest of the seven suspects.

“All the seven accused are now behind the bars. We found the head but it was decomposed,” Barabanki superintendent of police Praveen Kumar said.