New Delhi:The killing of Chandranath Rath, a close aide and personal assistant to senior BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari, has triggered a massive political storm in West Bengal, withRath’s familyalleging political vendetta behind the murder and BJP leaders accusing the Trinamool Congress of fostering a climate of violence in the state.
Speaking from Chandipur in Purba Medinipur district, Rath’s mother Hasirani Rath demanded strict punishment for those responsible, while alleging that her family had been under threat ever since Adhikari defeated Mamata Banerjee in Nandigram.
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“I want the guilty to be punished. I am a mother, I do not want them to be hanged. I want life imprisonment for them. They did this because the BJP came to power. Our state president and leaders are repeatedly saying to maintain law and order in the state. But those from the ruling party who were making various provocative comments, who were saying that after the 4th, the fathers of Delhi will not be able to save us, so after the 4th, they showed it. If my son had died in an accident, I would not have been so sad. The way the miscreants tortured and killed my son, these are all stories made up by the Trinamool. Since Suvendu Babu defeated Mamata Banerjee, my family has faced such a danger,” she said.
Rath, who had served as Adhikari’s personal assistant for nearly five years, was shot dead late Wednesday night near Madhyamgram, close to Kolkata airport, in what police suspect was a meticulously planned attack.
According to eyewitnesses and preliminary police findings, the BJP leader’s aide was travelling towards his Michaelnagar residence in North 24 Parganas district around 10.20 pm when bike-borne assailants allegedly intercepted his SUV on a relatively deserted stretch of Jessore Road near the Doharia area.
Police said a silver Nissan car suddenly swerved in front of Rath’s Scorpio and blocked its movement, forcing the vehicle to stop. Moments later, eight armed men riding four motorcycles allegedly surrounded the SUV and opened fire at close range before fleeing the spot.
Rath sustained bullet injuries to his chest and stomach and was declared dead at a nearby private hospital. His driver, Buddhadeb Bera, who was also shot in the chest, abdomen and leg, remains in critical condition.
As per the initial findings, Investigators believe between six and ten rounds were fired during the attack. Officials said the assailants allegedly wore helmets and used motorcycles without number plates in an apparent attempt to avoid identification.
Police are also probing whether sophisticated firearms were used in the killing. Preliminary forensic assessments reportedly suggest the possible use of Glock 47X pistols.
Source: India Latest News, Breaking News Today, Top News Headlines | Times Now
