A wedding outing ended in tragedy in West Bengal’s Purulia district after 45-year-old BJP functionary Habulal Gop, who had left home on Thursday (May 7) night to attend a wedding ceremony, was found dead the following morning near Kanali village under the Purulia Muffasil police station area.
The shocking discovery sent tension across the locality, once again bringing the issue of post-poll violence in Bengal into sharp focus.
Habulal Gop, a resident of Beldi village, was known locally as an active BJP worker and served as the party’s Shakti Kendra Pramukh. According to family members, he had gone out on Thursday (May 7) evening and never returned home. Panic spread on Friday (May 8) morning after villagers spotted his body lying near the roadside under suspicious circumstances.
Police reached the spot soon after receiving information and recovered the body. The remains were later sent to Purulia Government Medical College and Hospital for post-mortem examination.
Family alleges planned political killing
As news of the death spread, grieving family members accused unknown persons of targeting Gop because of his association with the BJP.
“Habulal Gop was actively associated with the BJP. He has been murdered in a planned manner,” family members alleged while demanding a fair and transparent investigation into the incident.
The family claimed the killing was politically motivated and urged the administration to immediately identify and arrest those responsible.
The death triggered outrage among BJP workers in Purulia, with several BJP Yuva Morcha members reaching the area and protesting against the alleged targeting of party workers in the state.
Supporters gathered near the village as tensions escalated over the circumstances surrounding the death.
Political tensions rise again in Bengal
The incident has further intensified the already volatile political atmosphere in West Bengal, where allegations of attacks on political workers frequently spark confrontation between the BJP and the Trinamool Congress.
The latest incident comes amid continuing accusations by BJP leaders that party workers are being targeted in different parts of Bengal following the political transition in the state.
The death of Habulal Gop has now become another flashpoint in the ongoing political battle between the BJP and the TMC, with party leaders demanding accountability and stronger action against political violence.
Police begin investigation
Police have launched an investigation into the incident and said the exact cause of death would be determined after the post-mortem report is received.
No arrests had been made till the filing of this report.
Authorities have maintained that all angles are being investigated.
