BJP leader shot dead in West Bengal

A local BJP leader was shot dead in the Titagarh area in West Bengal’s North 24 Paraganas district on Sunday. The deceased, Manish Shukla, was allegedly shot dead by two assailants on B T Road on Sunday evening. District police sources revealed that Shukla was rushed to a local hospital where doctors declared him brought dead.

The death of Shukla, a former BJP councillor, has sparked a war of words between BJP and the ruling Trinamool Congress (TMC) with the saffron party alleging that TMC was behind the murder. Accusing TMC of resorting to “politics of violence” BJP national general secretary Kailash Vijayvargiya said that his party had no faith in the state police and demanded a CBI inquiry.

“BJP worker Mr Manish Shukla was shot dead in front of Titagarh Police station in Barrackpore. Today I met his family and consoled them. But the role of the police in this incident is questionable, so I have demanded a CBI inquiry from the Central government,” tweeted Vijayvargiya.

Speaking to journalists in Barrackpore, BJP MP Arjun Singh alleged that TMC was behind the murder adding that the assailants used carbines. Shukla was known to be a close aide of Singh in the locality.

TMC, however, denied the allegation. Senior TMC leader Nirmal Ghosh said that the incident was the outcome of BJP “faction feud” and his party had no role to play in it.

West Bengal Police in a statement on twitter said that it was probing all aspects of the case and urged people not to make any “irresponsible comments” on social media as it may hamper the investigation.

“A person was shot dead last evening in Titagarh area of Barrackpore. Police is investigating the crime and looking into all possible reasons including personal enmity because the victim was accused in some cases of murder and attempt of murder,” tweeted the West Bengal Police.

“Please do not jump on conclusion without proper investigation. Irresponsible comments on social media tantamount to interference in the investigation. Please refrain from this,” it stated in another tweet.

"ACS Home @MamataOfficialand DGP @WBPolice have been summoned at 10 am tomorrow in the wake of worsening law and order situation leading to dastardly killing of Manish Shukla, Councillor, Titagarh Municipality in political party office," West Bengal Governor Jagdeep Dhankhar tweeted on Sunday.

Following the incident a large police contingent was deployed in the area. BJP had called for a 12 hour bandh in the area and held several protest demonstrations including road blockades.