PATHANAMTHITTA: A merchant was killed inside his shop and a gold necklace and money were stolen in broad daylight. The deceased has been identified as George Unnunny (73), of Mylapra's Puthuvel. A six-sovereign gold necklace and money in the shop are among the stolen assets. CCTV and its hard disk are missing.

The incident is believed to have taken place between 2 and 6 pm yesterday. The murder took place at Puthuvelil Stores at Mylapra Post Office Junction owned by George, who sells groceries and agricultural products. When his grandson came to take George home at around 5:30 in the evening, he found the body lying with his hands and feet tied and a cloth stuffed in his mouth. The preliminary conclusion of Pathanamthitta police is that he was strangled.

The shop is in George's own building on the Punalur-Muvattupuzha road. A plastic sheet was tied in front of the shop as a cover from the midday sun. It is believed that the robbery team came after realizing that the people in the shop could not be immediately identified by outsiders.

The dog squad and forensic experts conducted the investigation. George's Wife Annamma. Children: Suresh George, Shaji George (Secretary, Mylapra Service Cooperative Bank)