Mayawati Urges Peace, Seeks Action After BSP Leader K Armstrong’s Murder in Chennai
Lucknow, 6th July 2024: Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) leader Mayawati urged her supporters to “maintain peace” and called on the Tamil Nadu government to take decisive action following the murder of the party’s state unit president, K Armstrong.
Describing the event as “extremely sad and worrying,” Mayawati announced her intention to visit Chennai on Sunday to pay tribute to Armstrong and meet with his family.
“The brutal killing of a dedicated and hardworking BSP leader, K Armstrong, outside his Chennai residence has shocked society. The government should take immediate and stringent action to prevent such incidents in the future,” Mayawati tweeted.
Armstrong, 47, was attacked by six men on motorcycles wielding machetes and sickles while he was interacting with supporters near his home in Perambur. Four of the attackers were disguised as food delivery agents. Armstrong was rushed to a private hospital where he was pronounced dead.
Chennai Additional Commissioner (North) Asra Garg confirmed the arrest of eight suspects in connection with the case. Armstrong had previously served as a Chennai Corporation councillor and was regarded by Mayawati as a “strong voice” for Dalits.
In the wake of the incident, BSP supporters held protests across Tamil Nadu, demanding a CBI investigation into Armstrong’s murder. They also called for the dismissal of the ADGP (Intelligence) for failing to prevent the crime and insisted that Armstrong be honoured with a state funeral.
The BSP unit has alleged that the arrested suspects are not the actual perpetrators and has called for a thorough investigation.
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin, in a post on X, stated that he had instructed the police to conduct a swift investigation into the “shocking” murder. “The police arrested those involved in the murder overnight. My deepest condolences go out to Armstrong’s family, friends, and party members. I have ordered the police to expedite the case and bring the culprits to justice according to the law,” he tweeted.
