In a shocking turn of events, the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) state president K Armstrong was brutally murdered near his home in Chennai on Friday. According to a report by the news agency PTI, at least eight suspects have been detained by the police in connection with this heinous crime.
K Armstrong, a former councillor of Chennai Corporation, was attacked by a six-member gang near his residence in Perambur. The assailants inflicted grievous injuries on Armstrong before fleeing the scene, leaving him critically wounded. Tragically, Armstrong succumbed to his injuries on the way to the hospital.
Asra Garg, the Additional Commissioner (North), briefed the media about the progress of the investigation. "We have secured eight suspects so far. This is an early investigation, a preliminary investigation. So after some time, a clear and better picture will emerge with more facts and circumstances coming to light," he stated.
Garg also mentioned that the police are exploring several possible motives behind Armstrong's murder. "There are some two to three suspicious motives behind Armstrong's killing, but the exact reason will come to light only after the interrogation of the suspects," he added.
The gruesome murder has sparked widespread outrage among BSP workers and supporters, leading to protests in Chennai. Demonstrators blocked the Poonamallee High Road outside Rajiv Gandhi Government Hospital, where Armstrong's postmortem was being conducted, causing significant traffic disruptions. The protesters expressed their distrust in the Tamil Nadu government and demanded an inquiry by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) into the matter. Additionally, they called for the resignation of Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin.
In response to the incident, BSP chief and former Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Mayawati condemned the killing in strong terms. "The gruesome killing of 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 wrote in a post on X.
K Armstrong's legacy as a staunch advocate for Dalit rights and the underprivileged remains notable. After completing his law degree from Venkateswara University in Tirupati, he practiced law in Chennai courts. His political journey began in 2006 when he served as a corporation councillor, and he subsequently became the president of the BSP's Tamil Nadu unit. In the 2011 Tamil Nadu assembly election, Armstrong contested in the Kolathur constituency, garnering substantial support despite not winning.
Although the BSP does not have a significant political presence in Chennai, Armstrong was a recognized Dalit voice in the state. His untimely and violent death has left a void in the community he so fervently represented.
