New Delhi: Saying that a "culture of violence" and "fear psychosis" was prevalent in West Bengal, Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Friday demanded a CBI investigation into the death of BJP Yuva Morcha worker Arjun Chowrasia in Kolkata's Kashipur. Shah, who is on a two-day visit to West Bengal, visited Chowrasia's home and met his family members. The BJP worker was found hanging in an abandoned building in Ghosh Bagan area under mysterious circumstances.
"Y'day TMC govt completed one year of its term. Today political murders have started in the state. BJP condemns the murder of Arjun Chowrasia. I met the grieving family, his grandmother was also beaten. BJP demands CBI inquiry into the incident," Amit Shah told reporters.
"Union Home Ministry has taken cognizance of the incident and has sought a report from the West Bengal Govt," he added.
"We will ensure that those behind murder of BJYM leader Arjun Chowrasia are punished," Home Minister said.
Shah, who is on a two-day visit to West Bengal, visited the worker's residence in the afternoon and met the family members. The body of Arjun was found hanging from a noose inside a deserted building in the Ghosh Bagan area, police said. The BJP has alleged that the ruling Trinamool Congress (TMC) killed the worker, though the party has denied the allegations.
"Arjun Chowrasia, 27, BJYM Mondal Vice-President, North Kolkata was brutally slaughtered and hanged. This continuous slaying of opponent political workers highlights the demise of democracy in West Bengal. 57 BJP workers were massacred in the last year. Humanity is smothered by the TMC!" - the BJP's Bengal unit said in a tweet.
"He was an efficient party worker. We found him dead this morning. He was to be part of a bike rally that was to be taken out from Kolkata airport to welcome Amit Shah Ji," state BJP spokesperson Samik Bhattacharya said.
Refuting the BJP charge, TMC MP Santanu Sen said, "The allegations against us are baseless. Let the police investigate the matter".
Investigation has started into the incident, said police.
An enormous police contingent was hurried to the spot to control the situation.
Union Minister of State for Education Subhas Sarkar said, "It is shameful that a BJP worker was mercilessly killed and that when the union home minister is in the state. Law and order have broken down completely in the state".
Meanwhile, the mother of the deceased BJP worker has approached the Calcutta High Court seeking a stay order on the autopsy of Chowrasia. In her petition, she has sought formation of a special team headed by any doctor from AIIMS to conduct an autopsy. She also said that there was no trust in the state police. Her application has been accepted by the Calcutta High Court.
(Inputs from Manogya Loiwal)