Missing presiding officer found murdered in Raiganj

Balurghat: A presiding officer who had gone missing since May 14, was found murdered on Tuesday evening.

The corpse of the presiding officer, Rajkumar Roy, was discovered by the local people beside a railway track from Sonadangi area under Raiganj police station in North Dinajpur district.

The State Election Commission has sought a report from the District Magistrate of North Dinajpur. The District Magistrate has order a probe by the Criminal Investigation Department (CID).

Roy, who had been working as an assistant teacher of English in Rahatpur High Madrasha of Karandighi, was deployed as presiding officer at booth no. 48 in Itahar block. On Monday at around 8 pm, he left for toilet from the booth but never returned. His mobile phone was switched off.

Worried family members contacted the officials of Itahar block to know his whereabouts. A missing complaint was also lodged at the police station by the concerned BDO.

On Tuesday, some local people found a body with multiple stab injuries beside a railway track and informed police. Police went to the spot and suspected the body to be Roy. His family members were also intimated. Later, the deceased's brother identified him.

Police investigation has been initiated in this regard. Preliminary investigation has revealed that Roy was stabbed brutally to death by his assailants. Police said the body was lying in pool of blood. They have sent the body for post-mortem.

On Wednesday, the polling personnel staged a demonstration at Ghorimore in Raiganj, demanding arrest of the culprits involved with the crime. The irate polling personnel demanded safety measures from the administration.

Sub-divisional district magistrate of Raiganj T N Sherpa, who rushed to the spot to pacify the agitators, was gheraoed and allegedly thrashed by them. Later, a large contingent of police and RAF from Raiganj police station rescued Sherpa and lifted the demonstration.

Police superintendent Shyam Singh said the assailants will be arrested soon.