One held over BJP activist’s killing

One person was arrested in West Bengal’s Purulia district yesterday for his alleged involvement in the killing of local BJP activist Trilochan Mahato, a senior CID officer said.

“Punjabi Mahato, 45, a resident of Supurdi Nich basti in Purulia’s Balarampur, was arrested on Sunday after prolonged interrogation on the basis of the case registered by the deceased’s father,” Deputy Inspector General, CID, Nishad Parvez said in a release.

“Two mobile phones and two SIM cards were seized from the house of the accused and have been sent for forensic examination. He will be produced in court on Monday with a prayer for police custody,” the officer said.

The body of 20-yearold Trilochan Mahato was found hanging from a tree in the Khudigora jungle, one kilometre away from his village in Balarampur area on May 30, with a message inscribed on the back of his T-shirt accusing him of supporting the BJP.

A poster found nearby claimed the youth had to die for his affinity for the saffron party.

The deceased who was missing since May 29, was allegedly hanged using his own clothes.

Cover-up alleged

Three days after Mahato’s death, the body of 32-yearold Dulal Kumar, also said to be a BJP activist, was found hanging from a high-tension tower in Dabha village in the same district.

The BJP leadership blamed West Bengal’s ruling Trinamool Congress for both the killings and moved to the Supreme Court seeking a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) probe into the matter. However, they were asked to approach the Calcutta High Court.

The BJP accused the Trinamool and local police of acting together to cover up the murders.