In growing intolerant India, Congress leader, son shot dead in West Bengal
New Delhi: Rising political intolerance and targeted violence have claimed two more lives in West Bengal, with former local Congress leader Anisur Rahman and his law student son Abu Sufian shot and hacked to death near their home in Nakashipara.
According to Kashmir Media Service, the father and son were ambushed near the Nagadi rail gate, just 200 metres from their home, on Saturday evening while returning from Bethua. Attackers stopped their car, opened fire, and then used sharp weapons to ensure their deaths. The family has alleged a politically motivated attack and pointed fingers at jailed Trinamool Congress leader Jubbar Sheikh and his associates, claiming the murder was planned despite Sheikh being in custody.
“He worked for the Congress Party. He lived with everyone, standing with everyone. His enemies killed him out of jealousy,” said the victim’s sister-in-law. Police recovered the bodies and launched an investigation, while a large police deployment was made as tension gripped the area.
West Bengal Congress president Subhankar Sarkar condemned the killings and called for a statewide black day on Sunday, saying: “The Indian National Congress will continue its struggle against attempts to suppress the voices of minorities and the opposition in this state.” In a separate incident in Bankura’s Indas block, CJP activist Sheikh Reek and his father were attacked at home and left severely injured, with the activist alleging he was targeted for his “School Theek Karo” civic campaign.
The back-to-back attacks underscore growing fears of shrinking political space and rising violence against opposition workers and activists across India.
