Traders at Bailey Road, Raja Bazaar and Ashiana-Digha road areas downed shutters on Thursday to protest the murder of Khadim's footwear showroom owner Jitendra Kumar Gandhi, who was shot dead near the Veterinary College ground on Tuesday night.

The traders demanded a high-level probe into the killing. The protest started at 11am and was lifted at 1pm after police intervention. It led to a huge traffic snarl that choked Bailey Road, Ashiana-Digha road and all bylanes connecting Bailey Road.

"Businessmen are soft target for criminals who have no fear because of lax policing," said Sumesh Prasad, who runs a hosiery shop on Bailey Road.

Gangadhar Sah, who runs a utensils shop on Bailey Road, pointed out that the spot where Jitendra was murdered is close to the Bihar Military Police camp and other vital installations with round-the-clock surveillance.

"If such an incident can occur in a VIP zone, what about the people's safety and security in colonies and mohallas?" Sah asked.

Local leaders also attended the traders' protest.

"Such type of incidents affect the confidence of traders and businessmen in the state," said Digha MLA Sanjeev Chaurasiya, who took part in the protest. He demanded immediate arrest of Jitendra's killers.

Members of various trade bodies in the state have already said they are living in fear with the deterioration of law and order. Patna police have formed a six-member special investigation team (SIT) to probe Jitendra's death. The six-member SIT is headed by deputy superintendent of police (secretariat) Ashok Kumar and includes Phulwarisharif sub-divisional police officer Ramakant, Airport police station house officer (SHO) Deo Kumar, Phulwarisharif police station SHO Dharmendra Kumar and two other officers.

"Prima facie, the criminals shot at Jitendra with country-made pistols," a SIT member said.

"Police have collected some inputs from CCTV cameras installed on the road. The footage shows four youths on two bikes passing through Veterinary College road before the incident."