In a shocking incident that has sparked political outrage in West Bengal, a local leader of the BJP’s Minority Cell was found dead under suspicious circumstances in North 24 Parganas district on Saturday night. The deceased, identified as Mohammad Shafique, was discovered hanging from a tree near his residence, with his hands reportedly tied behind his back.
According to local sources, villagers first spotted the body early in the morning and immediately informed the police. Officers from the local police station reached the spot and recovered the body for post-mortem examination.
While the police have not ruled out any possibility and said they are investigating from all angles, the BJP has termed the incident a clear case of political murder. Party leaders alleged that Shafique was an active worker known for mobilising minority support for the BJP in the region, and that he had received threats in recent weeks.
“This is not suicide. How can a person hang himself with his hands tied? It is cold-blooded murder by political opponents who want to silence BJP’s growing presence among minorities,” said a senior BJP leader while demanding an impartial probe by the CBI.
The incident has reignited tensions between the ruling Trinamool Congress and the opposition BJP, with both parties exchanging sharp accusations. The Trinamool leadership, however, dismissed the BJP’s allegations as “baseless” and urged the police to conduct a thorough investigation without political pressure.
Locals staged a brief protest demanding justice for the deceased leader and stricter law and order measures in the area. Heavy police deployment has been made to avoid any untoward incidents.
The post-mortem report and forensic examination are expected to shed more light on the exact cause of death. Meanwhile, BJP leaders have announced that they will hold demonstrations across the state if justice is delayed.
