WB CPI-M councillor shot dead, Left blames Trinamool

A ruling Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPI-M) councillor from North 24 Parganas district of West Bengal was shot dead by two cycle-borne gunmen on Friday, triggering tension in the run-up to a high-octane Assembly election in April-May.

The slain councillor is Jamil Akhtar of Barrackpore municipality’s ward number 17.

Police said the gunmen shot dead by pumping bullets on his head Friday morning when he was having tea at a tea stall in a market area of Barrackpore.

He had earlier received threat, reports said.

The CPI-M has blamed the killing on Trinamool Congress.

“Police cannot stop this murder because it is a conspiracy by the Trinamool Congress,” said CPI-M senior leader Amitava Nandy.

Killing our leaders is their political agenda, he said.

The killing amidst a high-voltage election campaign in West Bengal further charged the atmosphere.

The CPI-M activists resorted to road and rail blockade after the incident on the Sealdah section. There was protest in Akhtar’s locality over his body.

A shutdown has been called in the area on Saturday.

West Bengali is going to a six phased assembly election from April 18 to May 10 when the ruling communists face the toughest challenge of their over 34 year rule from a resurgent Trinamool Congress headed by Mamata Banerjee.