TMC leader shot dead by bike-borne assailants in Bengal

Kolkata: A Trinamool Congress (TMC) leader, Satyan Chowdhury, was shot dead by bike-borne assailants in West Bengal's Baharampur on Sunday, reports India Today.

Chowdhury was the party's general secretary at Murshidabad. He was rushed to a hospital but was declared brought dead.

A local TMC leader informed that a group of assailants arrived on bikes and opened fire at the deceased leader at close range. Police have initiated an investigation into the murder.

India Today reports that Satyan Chowdhury was close to Congress leader Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury in the past, but he joined TMC later.

In another news, West Bengal Governor C V Ananda Bose has directed police to arrest TMC leader Shahjahan Sheikh right away and look into his possible ties to terrorists over concerns that he may have "crossed the border" in relation to the assault on Enforcement Directorate (ED) personnel.

His claims that Sheikh has connections to terrorists attracted harsh criticism on Sunday from the TMC, which is in power.

The statement issued by Raj Bhavan late Saturday night highlighted that the governor, upon receiving a complaint in the Peace Room, instructed the police chief to promptly arrest the culprit.

"On receipt of a complaint in the Peace Room of Raj Bhavan that Shahjahan Sheikh is supported by some political leaders with the connivance of some police officers, Hon'ble Governor instructed the Police chief to arrest the culprit forthwith and report compliance," the statement said.

The governor emphasised the need to ascertain Sheikh's whereabouts and take appropriate action.

The complaint alleging that Sheikh may have "crossed the border" and "liaison with the terrorists" may be "enquired into immediately", the statement added.

Responding to the governor's comment, TMC spokesperson Kunal Ghosh said, "We don't know what is the basis of his remarks. According to the Constitution, the governor works in consultation with the state government. So how can he make such remarks without any concrete report or evidence? He is not here to run a parallel government."

Tags: