Union Home Minister Amit Shah demanded a CBI investigation into the death of BJYM worker Arjun Chowrasia in Kolkata’s Kashipur, saying Bengal has a culture of violence and fear psychosis. Chowrasia’s home was visited by Shah, who is on a two-day tour to the state, after news came that the worker was found hanged in an abandoned structure in the area under unexplained circumstances.
“Yesterday TMC celebrated one year of its third term in office and now we have this case of Chowrasia being ‘killed’,” the home minister said after meeting the worker’s family members. He also added, “Union home ministry is taking serious note of Chowrasia’s death and has sought a report on it.”
BJP functionaries said Shah was upset after hearing the news. “Shah Ji told us to cancel his grand welcome at the NSC Bose airport and he has rushed to Chowrasia’s residence,” he said. Shah is in the city from north Bengal on the second leg of his two-day visit.
State BJP spokesperson Samik Bhattacharya on the other hand claimed that the man was an efficient BJP party worker. “We found him dead this morning. Chowrasia was to be part of a bike rally that was to be taken out from Kolkata airport to welcome Amit Shah Ji,” he said.
The police said an investigation into the death had started. Police officers faced protests from BJP activists at the spot as they tried to take away the body. Later a large police contingent was rushed to the spot to control the situation, and it took away the body to R G Kar Medical College and Hospital for post mortem.
