Salesman shot dead, traders body demands immediate action

A salesman was shot dead following a quarrel with local youths at a liquor shop in Sadar Bazar area here, leading to an outrage among local traders who warned of a massive protest if proper action is not taken, police said today.
According to police, the deceased has been identified as Pankaj alias Azad (27). As per eye witnesses, two youths arrived at the Model Shop at Hanuman Chowk in a Skoda car last night and had an argument with Pankaj who they accused of over charging of beer.
The duo were then beaten up by a few salesmen at the shop. They left after threatening them with dire consequences and came back with friends after half-an-hour. One of them started firing at the shop with a pistol. Pankaj was shot in the neck and dead on the spot.

State convener of UP BJP traders body Vineet Aggarwal Sharda said if any arrest is not made immediately, its members will take to streets to protest.
"If traders are killed like this, they will have no other option than to just sit at home and hand over their shop keys to the administration", added Sharda.
Police said that the whole incident was recorded by CCTV cameras at adjacent buildings nearby and the video footage is being examined to identify the accused.