Patna: A railway employee was killed and another was injured in Jamalpur East Railway Colony in Munger district, around 216km east of Patna, on Saturday.

Police said motorbike-borne criminals intercepted Nandan Kumar Gupta near the main gate of the railway hospital and fired at him from close range. When he fell to the ground after receiving bullet injuries, the assailants attacked his associate, Rakesh Kumar, and injured him.

Nandan and Rakesh were rushed to Munger Sadar hospital where Nandan, the railway employee, was declared brought dead. Rakesh's condition is said to be critical.

Munger additional superintendent of police Harishankar Kumar said the reason behind the incident was yet to be ascertained.

Peeved at the law and order situation, a jewellery shop owner said: "We are living under the shadow of the gun. The situation has come to such a pass that people fear to step out of their homes after sunset."

The jeweller, who didn't wish to be named, alleged that extortionists have started raising their heads again and several businessmen of the town have been forced to pay extortion money. "Most don't want to incur the wrath of criminals and have obliged them," he added.