K Armstrong, the Tamil Nadu state unit president of the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP), was hacked to death by a six-member gang on Friday evening near Perambur in the city. Armstrong, 47, was chatting with friends and supporters near his house when the assailants attacked him with deadly weapons.
Armstrong’s friends fled as the gang wielded machetes and sickles, threatening anyone who tried to intervene. His family members rushed to the scene on hearing his cries, only to find him lying in a pool of blood with severe injuries to his head and neck. They quickly took him to a private hospital in the city, where doctors pronounced him dead.
A senior police officer monitoring the situation said the gang arrived on three bikes around 7 pm, attacked Armstrong, and escaped before his supporters could respond. Deputy Commissioner of Police I Eswaran and Assistant Commissioner of Police Praveen Kumar visited the crime scene.
A special team, led by Sembium Inspector of Police Chiranjeevi, has been formed to track down the suspects. The area has since been placed under tight security to prevent potential revenge attacks or riots.
Police are currently investigating a potential rivalry with a criminal, from North Chennai, who is currently in prison.
Armstrong, an advocate by profession, began his active political career with a law degree. He had a tumultuous early life, with police saying he faced eight criminal cases in the past.
“His history sheet was closed a decade ago. In his early political career, Armstrong gained prominence by organising rallies for former Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Mayawati in Chennai and serving as a known Dalit leader in the city. Despite leading the state unit of the BSP, a party with minimal influence in Tamil Nadu, he was known for his active role in local mediations and political activism,” an officer probing the case said.
AIADMK general secretary Edappadi K Palaniswami condemned the killing, questioning the law and order situation under DMK rule. VCK chief Thol Thirumavalavan called for a special unit to probe the crime and bring the culprits to justice.
Armstrong had won a city ward as an independent candidate in the 2006 local body elections. He is survived by his wife and daughter.
© The Indian Express Pvt Ltd
First uploaded on: 05-07-2024 at 22:09 IST
