In Chennai, the capital of Tamil Nadu, Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) state president Armstrong was murdered on Friday by six bike-riding assailants. The attack took place while Armstrong was discussing with party officials near his home in the Sembium area. Family members rushed him to the hospital, but he was declared dead by doctors.
Senior Chennai police officer Asra Garg suggested the murder might be an act of revenge, possibly linked to the killing of gangster Arcot Suresh last year. A senior police officer told NDTV, ‘We have apprehended eight suspects in this murder case so far. This is a preliminary investigation. We have formed ten teams. We are working to bring the criminals to justice. After interrogating these suspects, we will uncover the motive behind the murder. Some sharp weapons were used in the killing.’
Some media reports claim the attackers posed as delivery boys, but police have not confirmed this. The Sembium police inspector has been assigned to solve the case.
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The opposition has criticized the ruling DMK in Tamil Nadu, arguing that the murder highlights the deteriorating law and order situation in the state. Opposition leader Edappadi Palaniswami said, ‘What can I say when the state president of a national party is murdered? The law and order situation is disgraceful. There is no fear of the law or the police.’
Lawyer Armstrong was elected to the Chennai Corporation Council in 2006 and gained attention two years ago after organizing a mega rally in Chennai and inviting BSP chief Mayawati. In a post, Mayawati described Armstrong as a strong voice for Dalits and called for the punishment of the culprits.
She wrote, ‘The heinous murder of Tamil Nadu Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) president K. Armstrong outside his home in Chennai is highly condemnable. Lawyer by profession, Armstrong was known as a strong voice for Dalits in the state. The state government must punish the culprits.’
