BJP activist found dead in poll-bound Tripura

The Left-ruled state, which goes to poll early next year, of late witnessed a surge in political clashes

A Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) activist was found dead in poll-bound Tripura, prompting the saffron party to draw a parallel with recent killing of its activists in Kerala, another Left-ruled state.

BJP stages protest in Agartala against attacks on its leaders and activists allegedly by cadres of ruling CPI(M). (HT File Photo)

Body of Sunil Deb was recovered on Saturday morning from a drain at Kanchanpur market in north Tripura, some 160 kilometres from the state capital Agartala.

Police said there were cut marks on the legs of the victim. The body was sent to the district hospital for post mortem.

Deb served Tripura State Rifles (TSR) as jawan before joining the BJP. He was sacked from his service five years ago for alleged negligence, police added.

“ Case will be lodged after the post mortem is conducted. Police has started probe into the case,” said a local police official Harakumar Debbarma.

Deb is survived by his estranged wife.

Dubbing the incident as a case of political murder, the BJP blamed the Left parties for Deb’s death.

“ This murder reminds us the killing of RSS and BJP activists in Kerala by the Left front members,” said BJP spokesperson Mrinal Kanti Deb.

The Left parties have not reacted over the incident so far.

Tripura, which goes to polls early next year, of late witnessed a rise in violent clashes between the Communist Party of India (Marxist) cadres and BJP workers.