A jeweller was shot by unidentified men in Cooch Behar on Wednesday morning.

Sources said Prashanta Saha, 28, a resident of Kalabagan in Ward 4 of the town, was busy in his shop when four men turned up and opened fire. The men had their faces covered.

Police said a probe was on.

“The bullets entered the jeweller’s head and chest. He collapsed at the spot. Residents rushed him to hospital where he was declared dead,” said a police officer. “We are trying to find the motive behind the murder. A search is on to arrest the assailants.”

Some residents alleged that the police had acted in a lackadaisical manner. “The shop is very close to the police station. Yet, the police reached the spot after one-and-a-half hours. The elections are ahead and cops are patrolling the town. How can such an incident happen in broad daylight?” wondered a resident.

In another incident, a Trinamul worker suffered a bullet injury in his shoulder as supporters of the ruling party and the BJP clashed in Jiranpur, a locality under Natabari Assembly seat of the district, on Tuesday night.

Rabindranath Ghosh, north Bengal development minister who is contesting from the seat, said three party workers were injured in the attack.

“One of them has suffered a bullet injury and is being treated at hospital. Before the polls, the BJP is trying to unleash violence in the area,” Ghosh added.

As the news spread, Trinamul workers held a demonstration in Jiranpur. Shops and other commercial establishments remained closed throughout the day.