BSP Tamil Nadu Chief’s Murder: Mayawati In Chennai, Armstrong’s Family Seek Court Nod For Burial Near Party Office
The mortal remains of the K Armstrong are kept at Corporation School ground in Perambur for public homage. (X/ANI)
Mayawati condemns the brutal murder of BSP leader K Armstrong in Chennai, demands swift action from the government to prevent such incidents
Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) chief Mayawati on Sunday arrived in Chennai to pay her respects to the party’s Tamil Nadu unit chief, who was hacked to death by a six-member bike-borne gang near his house in Perambur this week.
In a post in Hindi on X, Mayawati described K Armstrong, 52, as “a dedicated and hardworking BSP leader”. She said the state party chief’s death has caused widespread sorrow and outrage in the entire society. On Sunday, Mayawati will brief the press on Armstrong’s death in Chennai.
‘Widespread sorrow’
“The brutal murder of K Armstrong, a dedicated and hardworking BSP leader and president of the party’s Tamil Nadu unit, outside his Chennai residence last evening, has caused widespread sorrow and outrage in the entire society. The government must take immediate and necessary action to prevent such incidents in the future,” she said in the post.
The gruesome killing of Mr. K. Armstrong, Tamil Nadu state Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) president, outside his Chennai house is highly deplorable and condemnable. An advocate by profession, he was known as a strong Dalit voice in the state. The state Govt. must punish the guilty.— Mayawati (@Mayawati) July 5, 2024
Mortal Remains
The mortal remains of the K Armstrong are kept at Corporation School ground in Perambur for public homage. “Considering the seriousness of this tragic incident, tomorrow morning I will be going to Chennai to pay homage to Armstrong and meet his grieving family to offer condolences. I appeal to all to maintain peace and order,” she said in the post.
#WATCH | Tamil Nadu: Mortal remains of state BSP President K Armstrong kept in Corporation School ground in Perambur for public homage.K Armstrong was hacked to death by a group of men near his residence in Perambur on 5 July. pic.twitter.com/kSElMsoF4m
— ANI (@ANI) July 7, 2024
Madras High Court
Armstrong’s family moved to the Madras High Court (MHC) seeking permission to bury his body within the party office in Chennai. The judge observed that she could understand the sentiments of the people who hail Armstrong but asked how the rules could be flouted to bury the body in a residential area, especially in a small place of 2,400 square feet where the party office building already exists.
Tamil Nadu CM
Meanwhile, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M K Stalin said he was shocked and anguished over Armstrong’s murder. “The police have arrested those involved in his murder in an overnight operation,” Stalin said in a post on X. He said that he has ordered the police to conduct the investigation expeditiously and ensure that the culprits are punished according to law. At least eight suspects have been secured in connection with the murder of the BSP state president, a senior police official said.
(With agency inputs)