BJP leader shot dead in West Bengal

International Desk: BJP leader Manish Shukla has been publicly shot dead in West Bengal. He was known as 'BJP Strongman' of Barrackpore district of North 24 Parganas. He was shot while standing near a local police station around 9pm on Sunday. Khabar Kolkata's daily Anandabazar.

According to the report, the miscreants on the motorcycle fired a few shots at Manish from very close range. His partner Govinda was shot while trying to save him. The man was taken to a local hospital in critical condition. But by then he was dead, doctors said.

According to eyewitnesses, the place where Manish was standing next to BT Road in Titagarh is between Titagarh Thana and the municipality. Locally the area is known as 'Bara Mastan'.

While describing the incident to the police, some eyewitnesses said that a protest procession of Trinamool Congress was going on the road just before the incident. After the procession left, several motorcycles came from behind. The faces of the bikers and riders were covered with helmets.

Motorcyclists fired at Manish from close range. Witnesses said he fell on the spot after being hit by multiple bullets. Comrade Govinda was shot while trying to save him.

The whole area caught fire after the incident. BJP activists surrounded Titagarh police station alleging that the state's ruling party Trinamool was behind the incident. They also blocked BT Road for some time. BJP leader Kailash Vijayvargiya has blamed the Trinamool for the murder by tweeting.

He alleged that the incident took place in front of Titagarh police station. There are questions about the role of the police in that area. I am demanding a CBI probe into today's incident. The role of the police also needs to be investigated.