A Trinamul Congress worker was allegedly shot dead by masked assailants in the Shibdaspur area of Naihati in North-24 Parganas on Saturday night, apparently over a land dispute and for raising his voice against “antisocial activities” in the area.

Zakir Hussain, 51, president of the managing committee of local madrasa, was dealt three bullets by masked assailants amid a sudden power cut. He was speaking to some friends at a tea stall in Shibdaspur area on Saturday night when the bullets were fired.

Hussain was rushed to the College of Medicine and JNM Hospital in Kalyani town, where he succumbed in the early hours of Sunday.

A doctor said that one of the bullets got stuck in Hussain’s chest, fatally injuring the lungs, and another in the stomach.

Shibdaspur police have started a murder case against one Ashibul Seikh, alias Bachcha, and his aides on the basis of a complaint lodged by victim’s family.

However, none of the accused persons could be arrested as of Sunday evening even though senior police officials from Barrackpore Commissionerate as well as local Trinamul MLA Partha Bhowmik, who is also state irrigation minister, claimed earlier in the day that the assailants have been identified and would be arrested soon.

Speaking to media persons in Kalyani, Bhowmik attributed the murder to a fallout of an “old enmity”.

“A goon who recently returned to the area from jail killed Zakir (Hussain), who was a dedicated party worker. Police have confirmed the identity of the goon,” said Bhowmik. Ashibul is absconding.

Local sources said Hussain had recently played an instrumental role in getting the accused Ashibul arrested for selling drugs in the area.

Police have been examining the possibility of “revenge” as a reason being behind the murder, apart from Hussain role in resolving local disputes using political clout.

On Sunday morning, a little after the news of the demise of Hussain spread in the area, villagers vandalised the residential building of the prime accused Ashibul.

Police and family sources said that around 8pm on Saturday, Ashibul and five other masked goons arrived on three motorcycles near the tea stall where Hussain was having tea with some other people.

The goons apparently shut down the power service first and then fired at Hussain from close range.

Bombs were also burst in which two other persons were injured, an eyewitness said.

Hussain was taken to the College of Medicine and JNM Hospital in Kalyani where he died on Sunday morning.

Police began a probe, but couldn't ascertained the exact reason behind the murder. Barrackpore police commissioner Alok Rajoria said, "All aspects are being looked into. The accused persons have been charged for murder, and under the Explosives Act and the Arms Act".

Local sources said that Zakir had earned the wrath of a section of villagers, including ruling party functionaries, for organising a "reconciliatory" meeting using his political clout to settle local disputes over land and other issues.

"Local people used to come to him for justice. He often held kangaroo courts and delivered justice that on many occasions led to further dispute and tension. On Saturday morning, Zakir delivered a similar verdict over a land dispute that led to a dispute...and eventually the murder",said a local resident who refused to be identified.

The victim's brother, Qutubuddin, said, "Dada was very popular as a social worker. So people had faith in him and often sought his justice. He also intervened in a land dispute involving Ashibul's father that led to clashes on Saturday morning. Ashibul might have thought that my Dada was supporting their opponent"