TMC's Dulal Sarkar murder: 5 arrested in attack on Mamata Banerjee's close associate

NEW DELHI: Police have arrested five people in connection with the murder of Malda English Bazar Trinamool Congress (TMC) councillor Dulal Sarkar, who was shot dead by assailants in Malda district on Thursday morning.

Sarkar, a close associate of West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, was gunned down in broad daylight by bike-borne miscreants.

Two suspects were apprehended on Friday after three others were arrested on the day of the murder.

The arrested individuals have been identified as Sameer Akhtar and Mohammad Abdul Gani from Bihar’s Katihar district, and Malda residents Tinku Ghosh, Abhijeet Ghosh, and Amit Raja, according to police officials.

The incident occurred when the assailants chased Sarkar, also known as Babla, into a shop in English Bazar’s Jhaljhalia More, where he attempted to flee. He was shot multiple times at close range, leading to his death.

Chief minister Mamata Banerjee expressed shock over the murder, condemning the attack on her close associate.

In a post on X, she said, “Babla Sarkar, a very popular leader and my close associate, has been murdered today. From the beginning of the Trinamool Congress, he (and his wife Chaitali Sarkar) worked hard for the party.”

Banerjee also criticized the Malda Superintendent of Police (SP), attributing the murder to the SP’s negligence. “This happened due to the callousness of the SP,” Banerjee said during a state meeting. She also pointed out that Sarkar’s security had been withdrawn prior to the attack, despite previous threats.