The Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) workers and supporters staged a protest on Saturday against the brutal murder of its Tamil Nadu president, K. Armstrong. Demonstrators gathered outside Rajiv Gandhi Government General Hospital in Chennai, where Armstrong’s body is being kept for autopsy, demanding the immediate arrest of those involved.
Armstrong, 51, an advocate by profession and a prominent Dalit voice in the state, was hacked to death by a six-member gang near his residence in Perambur, Chennai. The attack occurred around 7:30 p.m. on Friday, and Armstrong was rushed to a private hospital, where he was declared dead on arrival. Armstrong had previously served as a Councillor in the Greater Chennai Corporation.
Chennai Police suspect the murder might be a revenge killing linked to the death of gangster Arcot Suresh last year. “We are conducting an investigation. The murder seems to be linked to an earlier killing,” a senior police officer said. The police have formed 10 special teams to probe the murder and have secured eight suspects so far in connection with the case.
Senior Chennai police officer Asra Garg stated, “In the murder case, we have secured 8 suspects so far. This is a preliminary investigation. Ten teams have been formed by us. We are on the job to bring the offenders to light. After the interrogation of these suspects, we will be able to find the motive behind the murder. Some sharp weapons have been used.” Garg mentioned that there are “two to three suspicious motives,” but the exact reason will only be clear after further interrogation.
In response to Armstrong’s killing, Tamil Nadu BJP vice president Narayanan Thirupathy criticized the escalating crime rate in Chennai and across the state. Thirupathy stated, “Old Madras is becoming a city of murders.” He called for Chief Minister Stalin’s resignation if he cannot effectively address the issue. “Where is the police and administration? There is a complete failure of administration in the state. This is mainly because of the drug syndicate,” Thirupathy asked in a video post shared on X, Saturday.
Thirupathy emphasized the need for the police to be given a free hand to control the situation, adding, “The police have not taken any precautions and it needs to be investigated how such gangs have suddenly emerged… If the CM is not in a position to control this mess, he must resign.”
Expressing his condolences, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin extended sympathy to Armstrong’s well-wishers and stated that he has directed the police to expedite the case, ensuring that the culprits are swiftly brought to justice. “I would like to convey my deepest condolences and condolences to all of Armstrong’s party, family, relatives and friends who are bereaved and I have ordered the police officers to conduct the case expeditiously and bring the culprits to justice as per the law,” Stalin wrote in an X post.
Congress senior leader Rahul Gandhi, also the Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha, expressed his shock over Armstrong’s killing and stated that the party is in constant touch with the Stalin government. “Tamil Nadu Congress leaders are in constant touch with the Government of Tamil Nadu, and I am confident that the Government will ensure that the culprits are brought to justice expeditiously,” Gandhi said.
