Tamil Nadu BSP Leader’s Murder: 8 Held As Party Supporters Demand CBI Probe

Chennai: Demanding CBI inquiry into the murder of Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) Tamil Nadu president, K Armstrong, the party’s supporters intensified their protest in Chennai.

Meanwhile, police have arrested at least eight persons in connection to the murder, according to the TOI.

The irate supporters gathered outside Rajiv Gandhi Government Hospital, where Armstrong’s body was brought for autopsy, and raised slogans to demand immediate arrest of those responsible for the crime. The protesters also demanded resignation of Tamil Nadu Chief Minister, M K Stalin.

Armstrong, a strong Dalit voice in the southern state, was hacked by unidentified bike-borne miscreants near his residence on Friday. According to a NDTV report, police have formed ten special teams under Additional Commissioner of Police, Asra Garg. “We are interrogating. We will be able to share what exactly the motive is soon,” Garg told NDTV.

However, a report published on Times Now claimed that police had arrested Arcot Balu, the brother of a history sheeter, Arcot Suresh, along with seven others in connection to the murder. Arcot Suresh was murdered last year by a gang of five men. The report, claimed, further that the police suspect it to be a case of revenge killing linked to Suresh’s death.

Reactions from across leaders

Condemning the murder, BSP chief—Mayawati—demanded punishment for the ‘guilty.’ “The gruesome killing of K Armstrong, Tamil Nadu state Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) president, outside his Chennai house is highly deplorable and condemnable. An advocate by profession, he was known as a strong Dalit voice in the state. The state Govt. must punish the guilty,” she wrote on X.

Reports claim that Mayawati would visit Chennai on Saturday to pay respect to the slain leader. The Opposition has also reacted sharply to Armstrong’s death.

The leader of opposition in Tamil Nadu, AIADMK leader Edappadi K. Palaniswami questioned the state of law and order under the DMK—the state’s ruling party— regime.

“If the state president of a national party is assassinated, what is the point of criticizing law and order in the DMK regime? How do criminals get the courage to kill? I strongly condemn the Vidya DMK chief who has pushed law and order to such a level that crimes are committed without fear of police, government or the law,” the AIADMK leader wrote on X.

Meanwhile, Chief Minister MK Stalin said he had ordered the police to investigate and dubbed it to be a ‘shocking’ incident.

“Bahujan Samaj Party State President Armstrong’s assassination is shocking and deeply saddening. The police arrested those involved in the murder overnight. I would like to convey my deepest condolences and condolences to all of Armstrong’s party, family, relatives and friends who are bereaved and I have ordered the police officers to conduct the case expeditiously and bring the culprits to justice as per the law,” he wrote on X.

Who was Armstrong?

He was a lawyer by profession. He was elected to the Chennai Corporation Council in 2006. In 2008, he became popular after organising a mega rally in Chennai with Mayawati. He had faced several cases, including abduction charges. But, he was acquitted by the courts.