Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi (VCK) chief Thirumavalavan has emphasized that those who surrendered in connection with the murder of Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) chief K Armstrong are not the actual perpetrators. He urged the DMK government to apprehend the real culprits to avoid tarnishing its reputation.
However, Chief Minister MK Stalin in his social media post condoling Armstrong’s death said that those involved in the murder have already been arrested.
பகுஜன் சமாஜ் கட்சியின் மாநிலத் தலைவர் திரு. ஆம்ஸ்ட்ராங் அவர்கள் படுகொலை செய்யப்பட்ட சம்பவம் பேரதிர்ச்சியையும் பெரும் வருத்தத்தையும் அளிக்கிறது. கொலையில் சம்பந்தப்பட்டவர்களைக் காவல்துறை இரவோடு இரவாகக் கைது செய்திருக்கிறது.
திரு. ஆம்ஸ்ட்ராங் அவர்களை இழந்து வாடும் அவரது கட்சியினர்,…
— M.K.Stalin (@mkstalin) July 6, 2024
Stalin said “Bahujan Samaj Party State President Mr. Armstrong’s assassination is shocking and deeply saddening. The police arrested those involved in the murder overnight.”
Armstrong, the president of BSP in Tamil Nadu, was fatally assaulted by unknown attackers in Chennai recently. His body underwent a post-mortem examination at Rajiv Gandhi Hospital in Chennai, and Thirumavalavan paid his respects on 6 July 2024. Following this, Thirumavalavan spoke to reporters outside the hospital, advocating for Armstrong’s body to be publicly displayed at a private school in Perambur, a request that received approval from the Tamil Nadu government.
Thirumavalavan also mentioned the BSP’s wish to cremate Armstrong’s remains at the party office premises, supported by the Viduthalai Chiruthigal Katchi. He urged the state government to facilitate this request. Finally, Thirumavalavan emphasized the need for a thorough investigation to identify and apprehend the true masterminds and perpetrators behind Armstrong’s murder, stressing that the surrender of certain individuals should not prematurely conclude the investigation.
Speaking with the reporters VCK chief Thirumavalavan stated, “The individuals who surrendered in the case of Bahujan Samaj Party Tamil Nadu president Armstrong’s murder are not the true criminals. Therefore, the authorities must arrest those truly responsible for the crime.”
Later he said, “Steps should be taken to find the real culprits behind this murder. Those who have surrendered now are not real criminals. All those involved in this murder, including those who incited them, should be arrested. You should not stop the investigation by saying ‘we have arrested the real culprits behind this, ‘ you should arrest all those involved in this murder, including those who incited them. We are making this request to the Tamil Nadu government on behalf of the Bahujan Samaj Party, the Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi and other organisation gathered here.”
Thirumavalavan further said Armstrong has voiced public concerns. Due to this, enmity and animosity arose for him from here and there. The police know this very well. Therefore, the police should have given him protection. Now the police should be vigilant in arresting criminals. We urge you not to be indifferent. Dalits continue to be murdered in Tamil Nadu, especially in the southern districts. Today a political leader was murdered near his home. I would like to inform that if the government fails to stop such mercenary gangs, casteist and murderous gangs, it will lead to chaos. This is a challenge to the police and the Tamil Nadu government.
#BREAKING | சரணடைந்தவர்கள் உண்மையான குற்றவாளிகள் இல்லை – திருமாவளவன் #Armstrong | #BahujanSamajParty | #BSP | #Murder | #Chennai | #Thirumavalavan pic.twitter.com/74uXVcQVZa
— PuthiyathalaimuraiTV (@PTTVOnlineNews) July 6, 2024
K Armstrong, the Tamil Nadu state unit president of the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP), was brutally murdered on 5 July 2024 evening near Perambur in Chennai. He was attacked by a gang of six assailants while chatting with friends and supporters near his residence. The attackers, armed with machetes and sickles, threatened anyone who tried to intervene, causing Armstrong’s friends to flee. His family rushed to the scene upon hearing his cries, only to find him grievously wounded and lying in a pool of blood. He was quickly taken to a nearby private hospital where doctors pronounced him dead.
According to police sources, the gang arrived on three motorcycles around 7 pm, carried out the attack, and fled before supporters could respond. Senior police officials including Deputy Commissioner I Eswaran and Assistant Commissioner Praveen Kumar visited the crime scene. A special investigative team under Sembium Inspector of Police Chiranjeevi has been formed to apprehend the suspects, and security in the area has been tightened to prevent further violence.
The police are exploring the possibility of a rivalry with a criminal from North Chennai, currently incarcerated, as a motive for the murder. In August 2023, Arcot Suresh and his associate Madhavan were assaulted by a gang near Pattinampakkam in Chennai. During the incident, Arcot Suresh tragically lost his life, while Madhavan survived. Five months later, Madhavan himself was killed in another attack by a separate gang. Ponnai Balu, the brother of Arcot Suresh, has been implicated in the murder of BSP leader Thennarsu back in 2015. His other brother, known as bomb Saravanan, is suspected in the murder of Arcot Suresh last year, according to police sources. Currently, Ponnai Balu is accused in the murder of BSP leader Armstrong. He is the sibling of Arcot Suresh, a notorious criminal who was slain by a rival gang in Chennai the previous year. Chennai police have arrested Arcot Balu, along with seven others, in connection with Armstrong’s murder a senior police official confirmed.
Armstrong, a lawyer by profession, had a troubled past with previous criminal cases, though his legal troubles reportedly ceased a decade ago. He rose to prominence through his association with former Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Mayawati, organizing rallies in Chennai and establishing himself as a prominent Dalit leader despite the BSP’s limited influence in Tamil Nadu. So far, 8 suspects have been arrested.
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