Armstrong murder case: 8 detained in Armstrong murder case, BSP leaders demand CBI probe

A day after Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) Tamil Nadu president Armstrong was hacked to death on Friday, as many as eight suspects were arrested in connection with the case, Chennai Additional Commissioner (North) Asra Garg said.

Those arrested are Ponnai Bala, Ramu, Thiruvengadam, Thirumalai, Selvaraj, Manivannnan, Santhosh and Arul. According to preliminary information, the murder seemed to be a case of previous enmity and revenge murder.

Several workers of the BSP today held protests in the state, demanding a probe by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) in the case.

A history-sheeter named Arcot Suresh was murdered last year in Chennai. A senior official told India Today that the eight arrested in Armstrong’s murder are either relatives or gang members of Arcot Suresh. In fact, Ponnai Bala is the brother of Arcot Suresh. The accused allegedly believed that Armstrong had a role to play in the murder of Arcot Suresh.

According to Chennai Additional Commissioner (North) Asra Garg, the arrested accused were being questioned to ascertain the motive behind the murder.

Meanwhile, CCTV footage showing the murder accused fleeing the spot after killing Armstrong has surfaced. Armstrong was hacked to death by six unidentified people near his residence in Chennai’s Perambur area.

Initial reports claimed that an unidentified group of bike-borne men attacked Armstrong with knives, leaving him fatally injured on the road. Following the attack, Armstrong was rushed to a private hospital in the city, where he was declared dead.

The body of the politician was shifted to Rajiv Gandhi General Hospital for postmortem.

Commenting on the incident, Chief Minister MK Stalin offered condolences and said he had ordered the police officers to bring the culprits to justice.

“BSP state president Armstrong’s killing is shocking and deeply saddening. The police have arrested those involved in the murder. I express my deepest condolences to all of Armstrong’s family, relatives and friends, and I have ordered the police officers to conduct the case expeditiously and bring the culprits to justice as per the law,” Stalin tweeted.

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi said he was “deeply shocked” by the brutal murder of Armstrong.

“Deeply shocked by the brutal and abhorrent killing of Thiru Armstrong, the Tamil Nadu Chief of the Bahujan Samaj Party. My heartfelt condolences go out to his family, friends and followers. Tamil Nadu Congress leaders are in constant touch with the Government of Tamil Nadu, and I am confident that the government will ensure that the culprits are brought to justice expeditiously,” he tweeted.

BJP leader Amit Malviya slammed the Congress over the incident and said it was dependent on MK Stalin’s party, DMK, for its relevance in the state.

“Tamil Nadu BSP chief, a Dalit, is hacked to death. Expect third-time fail Rahul Gandhi to maintain radio silence, just like the hooch tragedy, because the Congress depends on the DMK for its relevance in Tamil Nadu. This kind of perverse politics is the ugly face of Balak Buddhi…” (sic), he tweeted.

Meanwhile, BSP chief Mayawati is scheduled to visit Chennai on Sunday and express her condolences to Armstrong’s family. She has demanded Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin for strict action against the culprits.

BSP supporters protested against the murder of Armstrong and demanded that the probe should be handed over to the CBI. They alleged that the suspects arrested were not real culprits.

They also demanded that ADGP intelligence be suspended over the murder and that Armstrong be laid to rest with full state honours.