In yet another incident of political murder in West Bengal, BJP councillor from Titagarh Manish Shukla was shot dead by unknown assailants on Sunday. The attack took place in the evening near Titagarh police station in Brackpore area.
Shukla was shot from a close range soon after he entered the party office. He reached the office after attending a BJP Programme at Howrah earlier in the day. The party office is located near Titagarh police station.
According to eyewitnesses, the assailants came on motorcycles and their faces were covered with masks and helmets. Two other BJP workers also sustained bullet injuries during the attack as they tried to save Shukla.
“Bengal is now being turned into place where murders are normalised! Manish Shukla, BJP councillor from Titagarh was shot by TMC goons. These series of murders clearly indicates towards your inevitable end,” tweeted the BJP Bengal.
Following the incident, locals and BJP workers came out in protest, alleging that the TMC was behind the attack. BJP workers gheraoed the police station, and blocked the road. A large contingent of police in riot gear was deployed in the area to control the protests. He was rushed to a private hospital nearby, but he could not be saved.
In response to the incident, West Bengal Governor Jagdeep Dhankar has summoned CM Mamata Banerjee and state police over the deteriorating law and order situation in the state. “ACS Home @MamataOfficial and 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,” the Governor tweeted at 11.40 p.m. on Sunday.
BJP vice president in West Bengal Arjun Singh blamed Trinamool Congress for the attack. He tweeted, “TMC, their leaders and police everyone will face the consequence of this mistake and misdeed.”
National General secretary of BJP Kailash Vijayvargiya said that political violence in West Bengal is not stopping, and today again BJP worker Manish Shukla was killed by TMC goons. The incident happened outside Titagarh police station in Barackpore, but as always police kept its eyes closed.
Vijayvargiya also demanded CBI probe in the case. He also said that the role of police in the case also should be probed, saying they don’t trust the state police.
The state BJP has called for a 12-hour bandh in Barrackpore area on Monday in protest against the murder. A team of central BJP leaders including Kailash Vijayvargiya will visit the state tomorrow to join the protests.
