Kolkata, Aug 24 (IANS) A Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) worker was killed in clashes between two groups over control of a local community Durga Puja Committee at Baruipur in South 24 Parganas district of West Bengal, district police said on Monday.
The deceased BJP worker was identified as Bapi Pramanik. His family members claimed he received a call late Sunday night asking him to come out of his house. After he left, he was hacked to death, they alleged.
The family further claimed that the mastermind behind the murder was local BJP leader Sujan Mondal, who had recently been suspended from the party for anti‑party and immoral activities.
Uttam Kar, the BJP’s former organisational district president in South 24 Parganas, alleged that “a group of miscreants associated with Trinamool Congress is behind the murder of Pramanik. The local leader against whom allegations are being made was suspended by the party a few days back.”
Kar added that Pramanik had been associated with the BJP for a long time.
“During the previous Trinamool Congress regime, he had to leave his house and stayed elsewhere for almost 10 years because of his association with the BJP. He returned home only after the recently concluded West Bengal assembly elections earlier this year,” he said.
According to Atish Biswas, Additional Superintendent of Baruipur Police District, clashes over control of the local community Durga Puja Committee broke out on Sunday night at Hardoho village panchayat under Baruipur Police Station.
“The 45‑year‑old Bapi Pramanik was seriously injured during the clashes. He was taken to hospital, where he died. Several others were injured in the incident,” Biswas said.
Police confirmed that some persons have already been detained for questioning. “An investigation has been launched based on the complaint of the family members of the deceased. A large police contingent has been deployed in the area to prevent escalation of tension,” said a district police officer.
–IANS
src/dan