A request to lower the volume of a music system ignited a clash between Dalits and Jat Sikhs in Chooharchakk village of Moga district on Wednesday night, ending in the death of a 24-year-old Dalit.

Chamkaur, father of the deceased, Jeevan Singh, told the police that Dhanna Singh of neighbouring Daudhar village — who came to pick up Dalit workers from Chooharchakk regularly — would play very loud music in his tractor which he parked in front of their house. Jeevan had earlier requested Dhanna to play the music at a lower volume, his father said.

On Wednesday, when Jeevan asked Dhanna to turn down the volume again, it led to an altercation between the two. Soon, the members of the two communities were fighting each other across the village. Around 8.30 pm, the Jat Sikhs allegedly opened fire on the Dalits, killing Jeevan and injuring three of his friends, the police said. Jeevan was shot on the back of his head. Deputy Superintendent of Police Gurmeet Singh said as many as 10 rounds were fired from .12 and .315 bore weapons.

Though no arrests have been made till now, four persons— Dhanna Singh, Shinder, Gopi and Seepa — have been booked for murder.