K Armstrong, the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) Tamil Nadu president, was hacked to death by a six-member gang near his house in Chennai on Friday. BSP Supremo Mayawati reacted sharply to the incident and the Tamil Nadu government “must punish the guilty”.
According to police, he died after he was hacked by a two-wheeler-borne six-member gang.
Chennai Police said they have launched a hunt for the accused, adding the incident took place in Sembium police jurisdiction.
Armstrong, a former councillor of Chennai Corporation, succumbed to grievous injuries while he was being taken to hospital.
His body was taken to Rajiv Gandhi General Hospital in Chennai.
Tamil Nadu BJP chief K Annamalai expressed shock over the incident and targeted Chief Minister M K Stalin over law-and-order situation.
“Deeply shocked by the news of the brutal murder of the State President of the Bahujan Samaj Party, Thiru Armstrong avl, in Chennai today. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family & the cadres of the Bahujan Samaj Party at this time,” said Annamalai in a post on X.
The two-wheeler-borne gang attacked Armstrong, a former councillor of Chennai Corporation, near his house in Perambur inflicting grievous injuries on him, and fled. He died on the way to the hospital, police said, adding that they have launched a hunt to trace out and nab the suspects.
Annamalai added, “Violence & brutality has no place in our society but has become a norm in TN in the last 3 years under the DMK regime.”
Further slamming Chief Minister, the BJP leader added, “Having left the law & order of the State in shatters, Thiru @mkstalin should ask himself if he has the moral responsibility to continue as the CM of the State.”
Who was BSP Tamil Nadu president K Armstrong?
- K Armstrong had completed his law degree from Venkateswara University, Tirupati, and practiced law in Chennai courts.
- He first served as a corporation councillor in 2006 and later became the president of the BSP’s Tamil Nadu unit in the subsequent year.
- In the 2011 Tamil Nadu assembly election, he contested in the Kolathur constituency, receiving substantial support despite not winning.
- Throughout his career, he consistently advocated for the rights of Dalits and the underprivileged.
- Although the BSP does not have a political presence in Chennai, Amstrong, an advocate was a known Dalit voice.
AIADMK General Secretary and former Chief Minister Edappadi K Palaniswami took to his official X account and expressed shock over Armstrong’s death.
Palaniswami too attacked Stalin over the law-and-order situation and demanded strict action against those involved in the crime.
“I strongly condemn the DMK chief who has pushed law and order to such a level that crimes are committed without fear of police, government or the law,” added Palaniswami.
10 special police teams formed
The Chennai Police has formed 10 special teams to probe the murder of K Armstrong.
“On July 5, evening, while Armstrong (52 years), State President, Bahujan Samaj Party was standing in front of his house at Venugopal Samy Kovil Street, Perambur (K-1 Sembium PS limits), unknown persons assaulted him with knives. Due to the assault, he sustained bleeding injuries and subsequently police admitted him at Apollo Hospital with the assistance of the passersby. Doctors who examined him declared that he was dead,” the Chennai Police said in a statement.
