The CPM on Tuesday took out protest rallies across Birbhum and demonstrated in front of at least 10 police stations against the murder of their elderly party worker who was beaten allegedly by Trinamulbacked goons on Monday for hoisting the party flag on occasion of November Revolution on Sunday.

Badal Sheikh, 68, an active CPM worker from Baliguni village of Nanoor was killed and his party colleague Nishapati Thandar, 65, was badly injured in the beatings triggered allegedly for “daring to hoist the CPM’s flag in village Baiguni of Birbhum district’s Nanoor.

On Tuesday evening, CPM leaders and party activist took out protest rallies across the district.

They also submitted a deputation at police stations demanding the immediate arrest of the culprits involved in the alleged murder.

“All our area committees took out protest rallies and held demonstrations in the entire district of Birbhum. The killing proves how the ruling party is desperate to stop its opponents from their basic rights. We will continue our movement if the police do not take appropriate steps,” said Goutam Ghosh, a CPM state committee member and a leader from Bolpur.

The family members of the victims had also alleged that after brutally assaulting the duo the injured persons were not allowed to be taken to the hospital for several hours by goons of the ruling party.

It required police to rescue the injured persons and rush them to the hospital where Sheikh was declared dead on arrival.

“The delay in treatment cost my husband his life,” Jarina Biwi, Sheikh’s wife had said.

Trinamul has denied the charges. “Trinamul had no reason to beat CPM workers. It could be a personal issue. Trinamul had no connection with it,” said district party chief Anubrata Mondal.

Police officers in Nanoor said they were carrying out raids to find those involved in the incident.