SUBHASH MISHRA
Dhanbad, June 29: A shoe shop owner identified as Santosh Sharma (32) was found murdered near Putki Colliery gate under the Putki police station, around 10 km away from the district headquarters today in the early morning.
Putki Police Station SI Karmdeo Orao told media persons that unidentified criminals stabbed five times on different parts of Santosh Sharma. He was found laying unconscious on the road at around 3.30 am on Thursday by the patrolling party. Police and family members took him to Shahid Nirmal Mahto Medical College Hospital (SNMMCH) Saraidhela where the doctor declared him brought dead.
Suraj Sharma, the elder brother of Santosh Sharma told media persons that Santosh runs a shoe shop at Putki’s main market. At 3.30 am police patrolling party informed him that his brother was laying on the road near Putki Colliery Gate. He rushed to the spot and with the help of police took away at SNMMCH.
Suraj Sharma said his brother had no dispute with any person who could kill him. He expressed apprehension that anti-social elements who run illegal racket of drugs might have killed him.
Following the incident, panic prevailed in the Putki Market area. The Chamber of Commerce’s local branch has demanded police patrolling at night in the area.
The Putki police station officer said Santosh Sharma had not opened his shop in the day and evening of Wednesday. In the wee hour of Thursday, he was found murdered. Santosh has two daughters.