Patna: Angry over alleged police inaction against a spurt in crime in and around Naubatpur area, traders on Thursday observed a bandh in the market against the murder of a medical shop owner, Pradeep Kumar alias Dipu.

Criminals shot dead Pradeep, 45, who owns Ragni Medical Shop in Naubatpur Bazar, on Wednesday night when he was headed home after shutting shop around 10pm.

Just 500m from his shop, 5-6 criminals in two bikes fired indiscriminately at Pradeep.

Other traders, who too were closing their shops, took Pradeep to Naubatpur referral hospital where he was declared brought dead. The assailants had fired 5-6 rounds of bullets on his head and chest.

Protesting against the murder, angry traders observed a bandhin Naubatpur on Thursday. All business establishments were shut.

Dinkar Singh, who owns a grocery shop in the area, said: "Criminal activities in Naubatpur area has gone up in the past few months. Traders are afraid to open their shops in the evening."

The traders claimed criminals from Naubatpur and Bihta area have a free hand as the police hardly ever conducts patrolling in the area.

Local BJP MP and Union minister of state for rural development, Ram Kripal Yadav, visited Naubatpur and met Pradeep's family members. He assured them that the accused will be arrested soon.

Sources said the murder was outcome of extortion as on earlier occasions, too, several traders from Bihta and Naubatpur area have received extortion demands.

But Patna police ruled out the possibility. Patna central superindent of police (SP) D. Amarkesh said: "Family members have not told police about any extortion call received by Pradeep."

"The family members have not lodged any FIR till Thursday evening. They have told police they will lodge the FIR after completing Pradeep's last rites," Naubatpur police station house officer R.K. Tiwary said.

Police sources said, prima facie, it appears Lulan Sharma was involved in the murder.

"Some members of Lulan Sharma gang are trying to create terror in the area," said a police officer of Naubatpur police station on the condition of anonymity. "After the death of Lulan in 2016, some members of a gang are still active in area."

Sources said Pradeep was big trader of Naubatpur area. Several traders from Nuabatpur and Bihta had attended his son's engagement on Tuesday.