Lucknow: Paan trader shot dead in Pratapgarh

LUCKNOW: A 32-year-old paan trader was shot dead from point-blank range in Pratapgarh district on Saturday noon. The victim Manoj Chaurasiya, was originally a native of Ballia district.
Police said Chauraisya was not only murdered but also looted of a bag containing Rs 50,000 but is yet to ascertain the exact motive of the crime.
According to the police, around 1.45 pm, Chaurasiya on an e-rickshaw was going near station road under Kotwali police station area, when two assailants on a bike intercepted him to ask an address.
“Just when Chaurasiya was about to tell him the address he was peppered with bullets from point-blank range and later fled from the spot,” said the Pratapgarh police.
Pratapgarh SP, S.Anand told TOI that it is yet to be verified whether it was a loot attempt or a planned murder. “CCTVs in the locality are being checked, the kin of the victim are yet to lodge an FIR,” added Anand.