NEW DELHI: Eight suspected persons were arrested in India on Saturday in connection with the brutal murder of K. Armstrong, a prominent leader of the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) known for his advocacy of lower-caste rights.
Armstrong was mercilessly hacked to death with machetes and sickles near his residence in the southern city of Chennai on Friday night. According to reports from the Indian Express newspaper, six assailants on motorcycles ambushed Armstrong while he was conversing with friends and supporters.
The assailants fled the scene before any intervention could take place, leaving Armstrong fatally injured. The news of his assassination prompted immediate demonstrations by his supporters, who took to the streets demanding justice for the slain politician.
Senior Chennai police officer Asra Garg confirmed that eight suspects were apprehended and are currently undergoing interrogation as part of the initial investigation into the murder.
Expressing outrage over the incident, Mayawati, the national leader of BSP, denounced the attack as “highly deplorable and condemnable.” In a statement on the social media platform X, she called upon the state government to ensure that those responsible for Armstrong’s murder face swift and severe punishment.
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin also weighed in on the tragedy, urging the police to expedite their investigation. “Armstrong’s assassination is shocking and deeply saddening,” Stalin remarked.
Armstrong’s advocacy for the rights of lower-caste Indians made him a significant figure in Tamil Nadu’s political landscape.
