Local TMC leader shot dead in West Bengal's South 24 Parganas district; assailant lynched

KOLKATA: A local Trinamool Congress leader was shot dead in Joynagar, South 24 Parganas district, West Bengal, on Monday morning. This incident led to a retaliatory attack by a group of people who lynched an alleged assailant, officials said.

Saifuddin Laskar, the TMC area president of Bamungachi in Joynagar, was killed near his residence by unidentified individuals, resulting in his death, according to an official statement.
Subsequently, supporters of Laskar apprehended one of the alleged assailants and fatally beat him, as per local witnesses.

Accusations have been made by local TMC leaders, suggesting that CPI(M) supporters were responsible for Laskar's killing. In response, CPI(M) supporters in nearby areas claimed that Laskar's supporters vandalized their homes and set some on fire following the incident.

Expressing condolences for the unfortunate incident, CPI(M) central committee member Sujan Chakraborty emphasized the need for a thorough police investigation to apprehend the culprits and uncover any underlying conspiracy. Chakraborty dismissed blame on the CPI(M), asserting that Laskar's murder was a consequence of internal conflicts within the TMC.
(With agency inputs)