BJP worker murdered in Karimganj; 1 arrested, sent to police custody

A 45-year-old man, who was arrested in connection with a murder at Champabari tea garden in Putni gaon panchayat in Karimganj district on Wednesday night, was produced before a court on Friday and remanded to police custody for three days.

The man, Pratap Chasha, is the son of Panchu Chasha and a resident of Champabari. He was arrested by Patharkandi police from a hideout on Thursday night.

According to sources, BJP worker and local resident Bijon Deb (30) was stopped at Chandmari village around 9:30pm on Wednesday night by Kashi Keot (32) and some of his accomplices over political enmity of the past. Bijon, who was returning back to his home, was later allegedly hit on his head with an iron rod by Kashi and his accomplices, who fled away immediately after the incident.

Bijon was the son of late Biman Deb. Kashi is the son of Dinanath Keot.

Locals thereafter took Bijon, who was critically injured, to a hospital at Patharkandi. However, he did not survive very long and succumbed to his injuries at the hospital.

Rimpi Deb, elder sister of Bijon, alleged in her statement to police that some Congress workers were involved in the incident. She demanded that the matter be investigated thoroughly and all the culprits punished. Police sources said a probe was initiated into the incident.

Based on specific information, Patharkandi police nabbed Pratap, a Congress worker, from a secret location on Thursday night. He was produced before a court this afternoon and sent to police custody for three days. Pratap is a history-sheeter and there are multiple cases lodged against him as per police records.

Karimganj DSP (headquarters) S. Suklabaidya said the other accused were absconding. Hopefully, they will be in police net soon, he said.