After the incident involving the local leader, who was reportedly close to Saokat Molla, Trinamul Congress strongman and MLA from Canning East, violence erupted in the Bhangar area.
The incident occurred around 9.30 p.m. on Thursday when Razzak Khan, local Trinamul Congress leader of Chaltaberia in Bhangar, was coming back home near Bijoyganj riding his two-wheeler.
The criminals, who were waiting for him to return, sprayed bullets on him at Bijoyganj, hardly one km away from Bhangar police station, under Kolkata Police. Razzak fell on the ground in a pool of blood.
The killers also stabbed him on different parts of his body to make sure he did not survive. He was rushed to a nearby hospital where doctors declared him dead.
Tensions prevailed in the area soon after the news of his death among the local supporters of the ruling party in the state. The agitating supporters blocked the road in protest against the incident.
Manoj Verma, commissioner of police, rushed to the spot soon after the incident. Sniffer dogs were also brought to the spot on Thursday night.
After preliminary investigations, police suspect that the assailants might have information about Razzak’s daily schedules like his daily programmes during evenings.
Police are verifying footage of CCTVs installed in the area including the place of occurrence at Chaltaberia. There were around four criminals in the team during the operations, according to police sources.
He had held a meeting with his party colleague Arabul Khan at Chaltaberia party office before returning home, locals said.
Police have detained two suspects in connection with the incident so far.
Mr Molla, while speaking to reporters, alleged that criminals backed by Indian Secular Front (ISF) have killed Razzak. “We demand that the police should nab the criminals as soon as possible.”
Rubbishing the allegation made by Mr Molla, the ISF MLA Naushad Siddiqui said: “The incident was sequel to a rivalry between two groups of Trinamul Congress. Police should interrogate Saokat Molla to find out exactly who is involved in the murder. No opposition leader, including our party ISF, are involved in it.”