Asserting that violence is influencing politics in the state, Governor CV Ananda Bose on Wednesday said strong action would be taken against those involved in the killing of a local Trinamool Congress leader in Joynagar area of South 24 Parganas district and lynching of an accused in the incident.

The Governor stated that the culture of violence in Bengal should stop and the law would take its course.

“Law will take its course. We will certainly take strong action against it, and Raj Bhavan will also be doing its duty. Strict action should be taken against violence. It requires not only legal action but also social measures. Violence is influencing the politics of Bengal. This culture of violence must stop,” Bose said on the sidelines of a programme at the Raj Bhavan here.

He asserted that arson, looting, and killings have been “prevalent” in Bengal and said strong action would be taken to end the existing culture of violence. “Arson, looting, intimidation, and murder are parts of crime. A crime-ridden environment exists in some parts of the state. We will certainly try our best to see that this culture of violence ends. Strong action will be taken,” Bose said. Saifuddin Laskar, a panchayat member of the ruling TMC, was killed by a group of motorcycle-borne people early Monday morning when he was on his way to a local mosque at Bamangachi village. The murder triggered violence in the area and a mob lynched a man, identified as Sahabuddin Laskar, who they suspected of having committed the crime before setting fire to 20-25 houses belonging to CPI(M) workers and supporters.

Following the murder, police had arrested the alleged shooter, identified as Shahrul Sheikh. Sheikh was sent to 10 days of police custody by the Baruipur sub-divisional court on Tuesday.

So far, police have registered three FIRs — the murder of TMC leader Saifuddin Laskar; the death of suspected accused Sahabuddin Laskar who was beaten by a mob; and the arson and vandalism in the area that followed the murder of the TMC leader.

According to police, Sahabuddin Laskar, a resident of Godabar area of Joyanagar, used to work as a tailor. Shahrul, the alleged shooter, also worked as a tailor earlier.

Police have said that the murder was the handiwork of contract killers who were paid to kill the “influential leader”.

“The assailants had done recce a day before the incident. We believe that there was a mastermind behind the murder,” a police officer had said on Tuesday.