A 46-year-old jeweller, Pradeep Soni, was shot dead by unidentified bike-borne assailants in Chhattisgarh's Gaurela-Pendra-Marwahi district on Tuesday evening.
The incident occurred at a weekly market in Kotmi village, where Soni was packing up his ornaments after the market closed.
According to police, three motorcycle-borne persons attempted to snatch valuables from Soni, but he resisted, prompting them to open fire in the crowded marketplace.
Soni was critically injured and rushed to a nearby hospital, where he was declared brought dead.
Locals claimed the assailants looted ornaments valued at around ₹50 lakh, including gold and silver jewellery.
The killing sparked widespread anger among local traders, who are observing a bandh on Wednesday to protest against the incident.
