Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) Tamil Nadu unit chief K Armstrong, 47, was hacked to death on Friday by six unidentified assailants on motorbikes near his residence in Chennai’s Perambur area, according to official sources. The attackers used knives, sickles and other deadly weapons.
The attack on Armstrong occurred within the Sembium police jurisdiction. On Saturday, Chennai’s Additional Commissioner stated, “We have arrested eight people. The investigation is going on and the accused are being questioned to ascertain the motive of the murder.”
Among those arrested are Ponnai Bala, Ramu, Thiruvengadam, Thirumalai, Selvaraj, Manivannnan, Santhosh and Arul.
Following the attack, Armstrong was transported to a private hospital in Chennai, where he was declared dead upon arrival. His body was subsequently transferred to Rajiv Gandhi General Hospital for a post-mortem examination.
Who was K Armstrong?
An advocate by profession, K Armstrong was a staunch Ambedkarite and an influential figure among the Dalit youth in the state. He had been the unit chief of the BSP for over a decade. Committed to the principles and motivations of the BSP, he used his profession to advocate for Dalits and the marginalized in the society
Protests by BSP Workers
Outside the Rajiv Gandhi Government Hospital mortuary, the BSP workers gathered and raised slogans demanding a probe by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) and the resignation of TN chief minister MK Stalin.
“We urge the state government to refer the case to the CBI”: Mayawati
BSP chief Mayawati, after paying homage to K Armstrong at Bunder Garden school in Perambur said “I urge the state government and especially the CM that he should ensure law and order in the state. Weaker sections in particular should feel safe. Had the government been serious, the accused would have been arrested, but now since that’s not the case, we urge the state government to refer the case to the CBI.”
Mayawati emphasizing the need for justice, called upon the ruling Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) government to “punish the guilty” and strongly denounced the murder, labeling it as “highly deplorable and condemnable.” She urged the authorities to take immediate action.
Potential Motives in K Armstrong’s Murder: Gold Loan Scheme Rivalry and Previous Related Killing
The Chennai police suspect a rivalry between Arcot Suresh and K Armstrong regarding the Aarudhra gold loan scheme scam, involving several hundred crores. Allegedly, Suresh represented the scheme’s promoter, while Armstrong supported the major investors. Notably, Arcot Suresh was murdered at Foreshore Estate on August 18, 2023. Adding complexity to the case, Ponnai Balu, the younger brother of Arcot Suresh, is one of the eight individuals who surrendered in connection with Armstrong’s murder suggesting a possible link.
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