Bahujan Samaj Party's Tamil Nadu president K Armstrong was hacked to death on Friday evening by a six-member gang in Chennai. The two-wheeler-borne gang attacked the BSP leader near his residence in Perambur, due to which he suffered grievous injuries.
After attacking him the assailants fled the spot. The former councillor of Chennai Corporation, Armstrong, was being rushed to the hospital following the attack, when he succumbed to his injuries and died on the way, police told news agency PTI.
The police have launched a hunt to trace the suspects and arrest them.
Visuals from outside the Rajiv Gandhi General Hospital in Chennai, where Armstrong's body has been brought, have surfaced online.
BSP Workers Protest Against Murder, Demand Arrest Of Accused
As the news of the incident came out, the BSP workers and supporters gathered to protest against the murder of the BSP state president. They were seen blocking roads, as they demanded immediate arrest of the accused. Police were also present at the spot, trying to maintain the situation under control.
Tamil Nadu BJP President K Annamalai Offers Condolences, Slams CM Stalin
BJP Tamil Nadu president K Annamalai took to X to offer condolences to Armstrong's family members.
"The news of the brutal murder of Mr. Armstrong, the state leader of the Bahujan Samajwadi Party, in Chennai today has caused a great shock. In this sorrowful time, we extend our heartfelt condolences to his family and all the supporters of the Bahujan Samajwadi Party."
"There is no place for violence and brutality in our society, but over the past three years under the DMK rule, it has become commonplace in Tamil Nadu. Mr. MK Stalin should question himself whether he has the moral right to continue as the Chief Minister after disrupting the law and order in Tamil Nadu," he wrote on X.
LoP Palaniswami Questions Law & Order In State
Extending condolences to BSP chief Mayawati and deceased Armstrong's family, Leader of Opposition in Tamil Nadu Assembly Edappadi K Palaniswami slammed the DMK government.
"I am deeply shocked and saddened to hear the news that Mr. Armstrong, the Tamil Nadu State President of the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP), was brutally murdered by unidentified assailants in the Perambur area of Chennai. I extend my deepest condolences to the National President of the Bahujan Samaj Party, Ms. Mayawati, the BSP workers, and the bereaved family members of Mr. Armstrong. I pray to the Almighty for the departed soul of Mr. Armstrong to rest in peace," he stated.
Hitting out at CM MK Stalin, he remarked: "When a state leader of a national party is murdered, what can be said about law and order under the DMK government? How do criminals gain the courage to commit such crimes? My severe condemnation goes to the Chief Minister of the DMK for the deteriorating law and order situation, which allows continuous crimes without fear of the police, government, or law."
"I urge Mr. M.K. Stalin to arrest everyone involved in the brutal murder of Mr. Armstrong and take strict legal action. Furthermore, I insist that Mr. Stalin ensure Mr. Armstrong's funeral procession proceeds peacefully and without any hindrance and that his body is laid to rest properly," he added.