K Armstrong, the Tamil Nadu state unit president of the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP), was attacked and killed by a six-member gang late on Friday evening, July 5
The 47-year-old leader was chatting with friends and supporters near his residence in Sembiam, near Perambur, when the incident occurred.
The Incident
The police reported that the gang arrived on three motorcycles around 7 PM and attacked Armstrong with lethal weapons. His friends were unable to help as the gang viciously assaulted him before fleeing, leaving Armstrong in a pool of blood. Armstrong’s family members rushed to the scene upon hearing his screams and found him severely injured on his head and neck. They immediately took him to a corporate hospital on Greams Road in Thousand Lights, where doctors pronounced him dead.
Suspects and Investigation
The Chennai police have detained eight individuals suspected of involvement in the murder. The killing is believed to be a revenge attack for the previous murder of a gangster named Arcot Suresh, according to police sources. The suspects, identified as Ponnai Bala, Ramu, Thiruvengadam, Thirumalai, Selvaraj, Manivannan, Santhosh, and Arul, were apprehended after examining CCTV footage, which helped identify their mobile tower locations and motorcycle registration numbers.
Who was K Armstrong?
K Armstrong, a professional advocate and former councillor of the Chennai Corporation, began his political career after obtaining an LLB degree from Sri Venkateswara University in Tirupati in 2009. He practiced law in Chennai courts. In 2006, Armstrong won as an independent candidate in a city ward during the local body elections. His political breakthrough came when he organized a massive rally in Chennai and invited BSP chief Mayawati. He gained national prominence from this event and was appointed as the president of the BSP’s Tamil Nadu unit the following year.
Armstrong contested the 2011 assembly elections from the Kolathur constituency against DMK’s MK Stalin but was unsuccessful. As the BSP president in Tamil Nadu, Armstrong was known for his dedication to supporting young people in their educational and professional pursuits, especially in North Chennai.
Criminal History
The police revealed that Armstrong’s early life was marked by eight criminal cases. Although he had a history of several criminal cases, officials noted that his history sheet had been closed a few years ago.
Reaction from Mayawati
BSP supremo and former Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Mayawati condemned the brutal murder of Armstrong. She expressed her outrage on the social media platform X (formerly Twitter), demanding justice for the slain leader. Mayawati wrote, “The brutal murder of a hardworking and dedicated leader of the BSP in Tamil Nadu and the state party unit president Shri K. Armstrong outside his Chennai residence yesterday evening has sent shockwaves across society. The government should immediately take strict/necessary action to prevent such incidents in future.”
The gruesome killing of Mr. K. Armstrong, Tamil Nadu state Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) president, outside his Chennai house is highly deplorable and condemnable. An advocate by profession, he was known as a strong Dalit voice in the state. The state Govt. must punish the guilty.
— Mayawati (@Mayawati) July 5, 2024
With inputs from agency
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