A Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) worker was allegedly hacked with sharp weapons and then shot dead at close range by a group of assailants in West Bengal’s Malda district on Wednesday night, police said on Thursday. The deceased was identified as Samir Ghosh.
According to a state police officer, the attackers first assaulted Ghosh with sharp weapons before shooting him from close range, killing him on the spot. Police officials from the district rushed to the scene on Wednesday night after receiving information about the incident.
Police are investigating the motive behind the killing and identifying those involved. One person has been detained for questioning, the officer said.
Ghosh’s family has accused local individuals allegedly associated with the ruling Trinamool Congress (TMC) of orchestrating the murder because of his links with the BJP. The local TMC leadership, however, has denied the allegations. Tension prevailed in the area following the incident.
The killing took place in the Ramkeli area under the English Bazar police station limits in Malda district, reportedly while people were occupied with idol immersion celebrations on the occasion of Vijaya Dashami.
According to the family, Ghosh was alone at home when the assailants entered the house and attacked him with sharp weapons before shooting him at close range. His brother alleged that Ghosh had been receiving threats for a long time because of his association with the BJP and had even been told to leave the locality. He said Ghosh had continued to stay at home despite the threats.
The deceased’s brother further alleged that all those involved in the killing had links with the TMC and claimed that the murder had been planned well in advance. These allegations have been denied by the local TMC leadership, while the police investigation is underway.