Agra, April 1 (IANS): An unskilled labourer was killed by the grandson of a retired army Major in the Katra Wazir Khan locality here late Tuesday evening over a payment of a paltry Rs.100.

An infuriated mob pelted stones, torched two motorcycles and damaged property, forcing Etmauddaula police station personnel to fire rubber bullets to disperse the mob.

Senior Superintendent of Police Rajesh D. Modak tried to persuade the violent mob to excercise restraint, but hundreds of Dalits, family members and relatives of the worker, identified as 40-year-old Pappu, were in no mood to relent.

The retired army officer was beaten up twice and had to be rushed to the Sarojini Naidu Medical College emergency ward for treatment.

Family members told police that labourer Pappu went to Major's grandson Jai Krishan to ask for the wages for the work he had done at a nearby temple. This led to an altercation and subsequently blows were exchanged.

Police said Jai Krishan, grandson of retired Major M.L. Upadhyaya, threw Pappu on the ground and punched him to death for a paltry sum of Rs.100.

Jai Krishan managed to escape the mob and police have now mounted a hunt for him.

"Pent up emotions explode into mayhem over such frivolous issues," said social activist Shravan Kumar Singh, adding that the tolerance levels in the society were on the decline.