Tension In Bengal After Murder Of Suvendu Adhikari’s Aide, Security Tightened

KOLKATA, May 7: Tension gripped parts of West Bengal’s North 24 Parganas district on Thursday as police intensified security deployment a day after BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari’s close aide was shot dead in Madhyamgram.

Additional police forces were deployed in Madhyamgram, Doharia and nearby areas following protests by BJP supporters demanding the immediate arrest of the attackers.

A senior police officer said strict vigil was being maintained in sensitive areas and appealed to people not to pay attention to rumours.

Adhikari’s aide, Chandranath Rath, was shot dead on Wednesday night in what the BJP termed a “targeted assassination”, sparking political outrage and allegations of post-poll violence.

According to preliminary reports, Rath was intercepted near Doltala in Madhyamgram around 10.30 pm by motorcycle-borne assailants who allegedly followed his vehicle, forced it to stop and opened fire before escaping.

“We want the killers to be arrested immediately. This was a planned murder and people are frightened,” a local BJP worker said during the protest.

Another BJP supporter alleged that criminals were operating fearlessly and demanded a probe by a central agency.

Police said raids were being conducted in several locations and CCTV footage from nearby areas was being scanned to identify the assailants.

“No one will be spared. The investigation is progressing on priority,” the officer said.

The killing came two days after the declaration of the assembly poll results and triggered fresh political tensions in the state, with the BJP accusing the TMC of retaliatory violence while the ruling party alleged attacks on its own workers in several districts. (Agencies)