Bengal: BJP leader Raju Jha shot dead in Purba Bardhaman
Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Raju Jha was allegedly shot dead in Shaktigarh of West Bengal's Purba Bardhaman district on Saturday night, reported IANS citing officials. According to reports, the incident occurred near a famous sweetmeat shop in Shaktigarh on National Highway-19 when several unknown assailants opened fire, killing Jha and injuring several others.
What did police and eyewitnesses say?
The event reportedly occurred at around 8:00 pm on Saturday, according to eyewitnesses near the shop. They claimed that a blue-colored four-wheeler came there, and its occupants fired bullets at Jha, who was on his way to Kolkata. According to the police, Jha was taken to a nearby hospital but was pronounced dead. The wounded persons were taken to a hospital for treatment.
Attackers fled scene, motive of attack still unknown: Police
ANI reported Jha and his colleagues were on their way to Kolkata when some unidentified persons attacked them outside a confectionery shop in Shaktigarh. It said the attackers left the scene immediately after the attack. "In the car, there were three persons, including Raju Jha. The motive of the accused is yet to be ascertained. Further investigation is underway," said Bardhaman SP Kamnasis Sen.
Images of BJP leader Jha's car after attack
Who was Raju Jha?
Jha was a businessman and politician from Durgapur. He joined the BJP ahead of the West Bengal Assembly elections in December 2021 in the presence of then-state party chief Dilip Ghosh. Previously, he was accused of running an illegal coal company in Silpanchal during the Left Front's reign in the state. Several cases were also filed against him under the Trinamool Congress administration.
Violence, fresh political killing raise concerns ahead of panchayat polls
West Bengal is experiencing a new surge of violence, raising concerns ahead of the state's panchayat polls. Previously, during the Ram Navami celebrations, violence occurred in different areas of the state. Now, the assassination of a politician has given it a new twist.
