Tamil Nadu BSP chief and Dalit leader Armstrong hacked to death in Chennai by a bike-borne gang

After doctors declared that he was brought dead, his body was sent to Rajiv Gandhi Government General Hospital for a postmortem. At least 10 special teams have been formed by the Greater Chennai Police to trace and nab the suspects. Two other men, who were near Armstrong, also sustained injuries and are under treatment.

Armstrong is survived by his wife and one-year-old daughter.

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Politicians express shock over ‘gruesome murder’ of Armstrong

Following the death of the Dalit leader, BSP workers and supporters launched a protest against his murder and blocked a road in Chennai, demanding the immediate arrest of the accused, according to reports. Armstrong was hacked to death by an unidentified mob of six people near his residence in Perambur this evening. Police are searching for the accused.

Several political leaders and activists, including BSP chief Mayawati expressed grief and shock over Armstrong’s death and demanded that the accused are immediately arrested. Opposition leaders also criticised the DMK government over law and order in the state. Taking to X to condemn the murder, BSP national president Mayawati said that the Tamil Nadu government should punish the persons who killed the strong “Dalit voice in the state.”

The gruesome killing of Mr. 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 (@Mayawati) July 5, 2024

Founder and president of Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi (VCK), Thol Thirumavalavan released a statement demanding the arrest of the miscreants under the Goondas Act. The Lok Sabha MP is part of the DMK-led coalition government.

பகுஜன் சமாஜ் கட்சியின் மாநிலத் தலைவர் ஆர்ம்ஸ்ட்ராங் படுகொலை:
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கோழைத்தனமான இந்தக் கொடூரத்தை வன்மையாகக் கண்டிக்கிறோம்!
குற்றவாளிகளைக் குண்டர் தடுப்புக் காவலில் சிறைப்படுத்த வேண்டும்!
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விடுதலைச் சிறுத்தைகள் கட்சி அறிக்கை!… pic.twitter.com/VwgVobxpza

— Thol. Thirumavalavan (@thirumaofficial) July 5, 2024

Leader of Opposition in Tamil Nadu, Edappadi K Palaniswami took to X to ask: “If the state president of a national party is assassinated, what is the point of criticising law and order in the DMK regime?”Asking that the ones responsible for the murder are arrested, he appealed to CM MK Stalin to ensure Armstrong’s funeral takes place peacefully.

பகுஜன் சமாஜ் கட்சியின் தமிழ்நாடு மாநிலத் தலைவர் திரு. @BSPArmstrong அவர்கள் சென்னை பெரம்பூர் பகுதியில் மர்ம நபர்களால் வெட்டிப் படுகொலை செய்யப்பட்டார் என்ற செய்திகேட்டு மிகுந்த அதிர்ச்சியும் துயருமுற்றேன்.

திரு. ஆர்ம்ஸ்ட்ராங் அவர்களை இழந்து வாடும் பகுஜன் சமாஜ் கட்சியின் தேசியத்…

— Edappadi K Palaniswami – Say No To Drugs & DMK (@EPSTamilNadu) July 5, 2024

(Edited by Neena) 

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