Chennai: In a shocking and brazen attack, the Tamil Nadu chief of the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP), K. Armstrong, was hacked to death by six bike-borne men near his residence in Chennai on Friday. The police have taken eight individuals into custody in connection with the incident.
Details of the Attack
The attack occurred when Armstrong was having a discussion with a few party functionaries near his house in the Sembium area of Chennai. The six men attacked him and fled the scene. Armstrong’s family rushed him to a hospital, where he was declared brought dead.
Police Investigation
Police officials suggest that the murder could be a revenge attack linked to the killing of gangster Arcot Suresh last year. A senior police officer told NDTV, “We are conducting an investigation. The murder seems to be linked to an earlier killing.”
Senior Chennai police officer Asra Garg stated, “In the murder case, we have secured eight suspects so far. This is a preliminary investigation. Ten teams have been formed by us. We are on the job to bring the offenders to light. After the interrogation of these suspects, we will be able to find the motive behind the murder. Some sharp weapons have been used.”
#WATCH | Chennai: On murder of Tamil Nadu BSP president Armstrong, Addl COP, Chennai North, Asra Garg says, “In the murder case we have secured 8 suspects so far. This is a preliminary investigation…Ten teams have been formed by us. We are on the job to bring the offenders to… pic.twitter.com/VxdNvh2yUc
— ANI (@ANI) July 5, 2024
Speculations and Opposition Reaction
There are reports that the attackers posed as food delivery agents, but police have not yet confirmed this detail. The Sembium inspector of police has been tasked with cracking the case.
The opposition has criticized the ruling DMK in Tamil Nadu, claiming that the killing is evidence of the state’s deteriorating law and order situation. Leader of Opposition Edappadi Palaniswamy commented, “What do I say when the state chief of a national party is murdered? The law and order is shameful. There is no fear of law or the police.”
Armstrong’s Background
Armstrong, a lawyer by profession, was elected to the Chennai Corporation Council in 2006. He gained prominence after organizing a mega rally in Chennai two years ago, which was attended by BSP chief Mayawati.
In a post on X, Mayawati termed Armstrong a strong voice of Dalits and called for the guilty to be punished. “The gruesome killing of Mr. K Armstrong, Tamil Nadu state Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) president, outside his Chennai house is highly deplorable and condemnable. An advocate by profession, he was known as a strong Dalit voice in the state. The state Govt. must punish the guilty,” she wrote.
This brutal attack has sent shockwaves across the political landscape in Tamil Nadu and raised concerns about the security of political leaders in the state.
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