Jaipur, March 25 (NationPress) In a distressing occurrence in the Bharatpur district of Rajasthan, a 45-year-old jeweller, Yogendra Chopra, was fatally shot by two individuals on a motorcycle who subsequently made off with a bag of gold and silver jewelry. The tragic incident took place merely 100 metres from his residence as he was riding his scooter home after closing his shop on Wednesday evening.

According to eyewitnesses, the shooting transpired around 7:15 p.m. in Punjabi Colony, Nadbai. The assailants approached from Nagar Road and opened fire at point-blank range, striking Chopra in the neck. He fell to the ground along with his scooter. The attackers then seized his bag, allegedly filled with valuable ornaments, and fled through narrow alleyways.

Chopra routinely transported his jewellery bag between his home and his shop, which is situated near Nagar Tiraha. Upon hearing the gunshot, nearby residents rushed to assist and transported him to Nadbai Hospital, where he tragically succumbed to his injuries during treatment.

He leaves behind his mother, younger brother, wife, son, and daughter. This incident has sparked significant outrage among local traders and residents.

A considerable crowd gathered at the hospital and later carried Chopra's body on a stretcher in a protest march through the main market towards the police station, chanting slogans against the local administration. The demonstrators demanded the prompt apprehension of the suspects and insisted that a post-mortem be delayed until action was taken.

In response to the escalating tension, additional police forces from surrounding areas, including Lakhanpur and Uchchain, were deployed. Bharatpur SP Digant Anand arrived at the scene and engaged with the protesters, requesting three days to apprehend the culprits and assuring them that significant leads had been uncovered.

The protesters warned of further demonstrations if the suspects were not arrested within the specified timeframe. After receiving assurances from law enforcement, the body was eventually taken to the mortuary.

Opposition leader Tikaram Jully expressed his condolences, stating, “The robbery and murder of a bullion trader in Nadbai, the Chief Minister's home tehsil, is profoundly tragic and heartbreaking.” He criticized the deteriorating law-and-order situation in the state, asserting, “The current state of affairs has emboldened criminals to commit heinous acts like murder and robbery openly. If residents are unsafe even in the Chief Minister's home district, it raises serious questions about public safety throughout the state.”