In a tragic incident, a Trinamool Congress leader was murdered in broad daylight on Saturday in Sujapur, Malda district, West Bengal. The deceased has been identified as Mustafa Sheikh – the husband of a former panchayat member of the party. The party leaders have accused Congress workers of carrying out the assassination.
The incident has sparked protests by Trinamool Congress workers, who blocked National Highway 34 along with Sheikh’s body. West Bengal cabinet minister from Malda district, Sabina Yeasmin, later visited the spot to pay her condolences to the family.
The State Election Commission has sought a detailed report from the district magistrate and district police superintendent of Malda over the incident. Yeasmin told mediapersons that the assassins were residents of the area and should be arrested immediately.
The Congress party has denied the allegations and claimed that the murder was a result of infighting in the ruling party in the area. This is the seventh killing in connection with the ongoing poll-related violence since the panchayat election dates were announced by the State Election Commission on June 8. The elections are scheduled to be held on July 8 and the votes will be counted on July 11.
The incident has once again brought attention to the increasing violence and political unrest in West Bengal. It is important for the authorities to take strict action against those responsible for the violence and ensure peaceful elections, free of any form of violence or intimidation.