Jaipur, March 3 The hotel owner was killed, and three others were seriously injured after armed attackers opened fire inside a hotel in the Churu district of Rajasthan, police said on Tuesday.
Former Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot condemned the incident, saying it has "shaken" the state, and alleged a deterioration in law and order in Rajasthan.
The incident occurred late Monday in the Bidasar area, where three alleged attackers allegedly entered the hotel premises and began firing indiscriminately, police said.
Hotel owner Maniram Manda was shot dead on the spot, while three others sustained bullet injuries. The injured were referred to Jaipur for treatment late in the night and are reported to be in serious condition, they added.
The hotel was sealed after the incident, and a heavy police force has been deployed in the area.
Police sources said Manda was involved in the liquor and hospitality business. Preliminary investigations suggest the murder may be linked to an ongoing rivalry between groups involved in the liquor trade.
Questioning the role of the state government, Ashok Gehlot said the firing incident in Churu, which left one person dead and three injured, has "shaken" the state.
"Criminals have no fear of the law. Such brutal murders have created fear among traders and the general public," Gehlot said.
He alleged that incidents of brazen killings were becoming frequent across the state, citing cases in Churu, Nagaur, and Jodhpur, and urged the Chief Minister to prioritize governance and law and order.