A human rights group has expressed concern over brutal attacks in India by self-appointed "cow protectors" against Muslims and lower castes over rumours that they sold, bought or killed cows for beef.

A second suspect has been arrested over the rape of a five-year-old girl who New Delhi police say was left for dead in a locked room, a case which has brought a new wave of protests against how Indian authorities handle sex crimes.

Indian police have charged six men with murder, adding to accusations that they beat and gang-raped a woman on a New Delhi bus two weeks ago in a case that shocked the country.

India’s security forces routinely gun down cattle smugglers and other civilians crossing the border with Bangladesh despite little evidence of any crime, human rights campaigners said today.