NEW DELHI: The Chennai Police on Saturday said that the murder of Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) Tamil Nadu chief
K Armstrong
is not political in nature. Amid political slugfest and the opposition leaders demanding arrest of the "real culprit", Chennai Police Commissioner Sandeep Rai Rathore said, "there is no political angle at all".
The police also informed that eight people were arrested in the case within three hours of the incident.
The police also denied that the BSP leader faced any threat to his life.
In a press conference when asked about the political motive behind the murder, the commissioner said: "It doesn't point towards that. There is no political angle at all."
"The chances of a political motive is very low, though previous enmity could not be ruled out," he added.
"Initial investigation, CCTV footages, cell phone tower location and eyewitness account led to the police arresting eight persons whom we strongly suspect are involved in commissioning the offence," Rathore said.
On allegations by parties that those arrested were not the real culprits, he said only further investigation would prove. "But right now we have sufficient evidence to prove that they would have committed the offence," he said.
Mayawati to visit Tamil Nadu on Sunday
BSP chief Mayawati condemned the gruesome killing of Armstrong asking the state government to "punish the guilty." She described the incident as highly deplorable and condemned the act.
"Considering the seriousness of this extremely sad and worrying incident, I am planning to go to Chennai tomorrow morning to pay my tributes to Armstrong and meet his grieving family and console them. I appeal to all to maintain peace and order," she added in another post.
Congress MP Rahul Gandhi has expressed deep shock and condemnation over the tragic killing of K Armstrong. In a message posted on 'X', Gandhi conveyed his condolences to Armstrong's family, friends, and supporters. "Deeply shocked by the brutal and abhorrent killing of Thiru Armstrong, the Tamil Nadu Chief of the Bahujan Samaj Party. My heartfelt condolences go out to his family, friends and followers," Gandhi wrote.
Gandhi further assured that Tamil Nadu Congress leaders are actively engaged with the state government to ensure swift justice for the perpetrators. "Tamil Nadu Congress leaders are in constant touch with the government of Tamil Nadu, and I am confident that the government will ensure that the culprits are brought to justice expeditiously," he affirmed.
EPS raises concerns over law and order
AIADMK leader Edappadi K Palaniswami criticised the ruling DMK party over the incident, highlighting concerns about the state's law and order. He used social media to voice his discontent, saying, "If such a leader is assassinated, then what is the point of criticizing the law and order in the state?" In reaction to the murder and subsequent demonstrations, Chennai police have ramped up security measures to ensure public safety and prevent further unrest. The situation remains tense as authorities continue their investigation.
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