CPI(M) leader killed in Tripura; state lockdown declared on Sunday
South Tripura SP Ashok Kumar Sinha told PTI that he was attacked on Friday night by a group of people, whose identity is yet to be known.
CPI(M) leader Badal Shill, who was seriously injured in an attack in South Tripura’s Rajnagar area, died while undergoing treatment at a hospital on Saturday, police said.
The opposition CPI(M) party alleged that Shill, a zilla parishad candidate in the panchayat elections, was murdered by BJP-backed gangsters and called for a 12-hour state-wide election rally on Sunday.
South Tripura SP Ashok Kumar Sinha told PTI that he was attacked on Friday night by a group of people, whose identity is yet to be known.
“The police immediately rushed to the scene after they came to know about the incident. The victim was unable to tell the police anything. However, we have filed a case on our own initiative. Investigation is underway,” he said.
According to his family, Shill was attacked in the Rajnagar market by a group of men armed with a ‘dao’ or machete, sticks and other weapons.
According to AIG (Law and Order) Ananta Das, Shill died while receiving treatment at the government GB Pant Hospital in Agartala.
“The autopsy has been completed and the body will be handed over to his family,” he said.
Shill had filed the nomination papers for the panchayat elections on July 11.
According to Jitendra Chaudhury, state secretary of the CPI(M) and leader of the opposition in the assembly, Shill sustained serious head injuries in the attack.
“This is not the death of Badal Shill, it is the murder of democracy by BJP. I appeal to the people to protest against this brutal murder and save democracy,” he said.
Narayan Kar, the convener of Left Front, said the national rally would begin at 6 am and continue till 6 pm.
The ruling BJP party was not available for comment despite repeated attempts.
Panchayat elections will be held in the state on August 8 and the counting of votes will take place on August 10.
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First print: Jul 13, 2024 | 11:42 PM IST