A Trinamul worker from a village on the outskirts of Raiganj in North Dinajpur district was found dead at a deserted location on Wednesday.
Police suspect that Mohammad Ali, 55, of Krishnamuri village under Raiganj police station, was shot dead. The body has a suspected bullet wound and two bullets have been recovered from near the spot.
While Trinamul suspected the BJP to have a hand in the death and the BJP dismissed the charges, the police have detained one of Ali’s relatives.
Ali had been to a public meeting organised by the party nearby on Tuesday and was supposed to reach home by afternoon. When he did not return by Tuesday evening as well, his family members started searching for him.
On Wednesday morning, some residents of Maharaja, an adjoining village, spotted his body at a deserted place, and informed the police. As the news of the body spread, Ali’s family members and neighbours went to the spot and identified him.
Investigating police officers also found two bullets near the body.
Two empty bullet shells found at the murder spot on Wednesday
“It seems that the victim has been shot from close range. The seized bullets would be examined and we are also waiting for the victim’s post-mortem reports,” said an officer.
So far, the police have detained Sikandar Ali, one of the nephews of the victim.
Police sources said Ali had been having problems with his brother Tepu Ali over the possession of a plot of land.
“A few days back, the two brothers had an altercation which had eventually led to a skirmish. Preliminary investigations suggest the victim was murdered over the family dispute. We are exploring all angles,” said a police officer.
Local Trinamul leaders, however, have accused the BJP of having a hand in Ali’s death. “He (Ali) was an active party worker and popular in his village and surrounding areas. We suspect the BJP behind the attack,” said a Trinamul leader.
The BJP local leadership denied these charges.
“If the police impartially probes the case, the truth will be revealed,” a BJP leader said.
