TMC leader's murder: Locals burn houses of 'suspects'

The neighbours of the slain Trinamool Congress leader Zahir Seikh ransacked the houses of local people who they believe were involved in the murder of Seikh.

Tension prevailed at Ketugram--I Gram Panchayat of East Burdwan on Thursday morning. It was learnt that the mob also set a few houses on fire. The incident took place on late Wednesday night. Two motorcycles that were parked outside two houses were also gutted in the fire. Fire tenders were swung into action to douse the flame. Zahir, President of Ketugram-I Gram Panchayat, was returning home from a local salon on a motorcycle along with his bodyguard when some miscreants shot at him. The victim received bullet injury on his head and was declared brought dead after being taken to a hospital. According to the preliminary investigation, police suspect that the accused were familiar to the victim. Police said that the victim was shot from behind.

However, no one has been arrested in this connection yet. The accused fled the spot leaving Sheikh on the road lying in a pool of blood. Alarmed by the noise of a gunshot, villagers rushed to the spot and found Sheikh lying on the road. A large police contingent went to the spot and began an investigation. The cause of murder is yet to be ascertained.

A preliminary investigation suggested that a political rivalry might have led to the murder of the leader. Senior Trinamool Congress leaders visited the area and condemned the killing. They alleged that CPI(M) and BJP had formed an alliance and were trying to create trouble before the Panchayat election scheduled in 2018. They were trying to weaken the organisational strengths of the party as the victim was instrumental in strengthening the organisation.

A police picket has been set up in the area as tension prevails at Ketugram. Police are conducting raids to nab the culprits.