'Will Not Sit Quietly': Mayawati Demands CBI Inquiry in BSP Leader Armstrong's Murder

Chennai: BSP supremo Mayawati on Sunday demanded a CBI inquiry into the killing of party's Tamil Nadu chief K Armstrong. 

Mayawati arrived in Chennai on Sunday morning to pay tribute to the slain party leader who was hacked to death near his residence in Chennai's Perambur on July 2. 

Mayawati urged the CM MK Stalin-led DMK government to refer the case to the CBI. She also accused the state govt of not being serious about the murder case.

She said, "... we urge the state government to refer the case to the CBI," adding, "I urge the state government and especially the CM that he should ensure law and order in the state, weaker sections in particular should feel safe. Had the government been serious, the accused would have been arrested, but now since that's not the case, we urge the state government to refer the case to the CBI."

She also extended support to the bereaved family and sought police protection for them.

Addressing media on Sunday in Chennai, Mayawati said, "Our party has taken this incident very seriously and we will not sit quietly. Our state unit will not sit quiet and will exert pressure on the state government to refer this case to the CBI... I will pray to god to give his family and supporters strength to bear the loss... To ensure action against the accused, the party cadre should come forward but at the same time, stay within the limits of law and show that the weaker section does not take law into their hands."

Armstrong Brutally Killed in Chennai

Armstrong was allegedly hacked to death by a group of six unidentified assailants on July 2 outside his house in Chennai’s Perambur area. The incident took place on Friday night which sent shock waves in the area. Following the incident, the police rushed to the spot and shifted the body to the mortuary of a nearby hospital.

A case of murder was registered by the police and an investigation was launched. 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.

His killing led to massive protests by BSP workers and supporters in the city. The protesters has also blocked a road in the city, demanding immediate arrest of the accused involved in the murder.

Question Raised over Law And Order in State

Expressing shock over the brutal murder, the BSP and other major political parties including the BJP raised question on the law and order situation in the state. Critising the ruling DMK in the state, BJP state president K Annamalai had earlier said, “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.”

“Violence & brutality has no place in our society but has become a norm in TN in the last 3 years under the DMK regime. Having left the law & order of the State in shatters, Thiru MK Stalin should ask himself if he has the moral responsibility to continue as the CM of the State,” Annamalai had further stated.

Former Tamil Nadu Chief Minister and AIADMK General Secretary Edappadi K Palaniswami also took to X to condemn the killing of BSP leader. Expressing his shock over the news of Armstrong’s death, he had attacked the DMK chief alleging that the latter has pushed law and order to such a level that crimes are committed without fear of police, government or the law.