A Trinamool Congress gram panchayat member was shot dead and his aide critically injured as unknown attackers fired at them late at night in Howrah, police said. The incident occurred on Thursday night, raising concerns in the area ahead of the 2026 Assembly elections.
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As per the report by The Hindu, the victim, Debobrata Mondal, popularly known as Babu Mondal, a member of the Sampuipara-Basukathi gram panchayat, was returning home around 11 p.m. on a motorcycle with his associate, Anupam Rana. According to police, two motorcycle-borne assailants approached them near the Nishchinda-Buro Shibtala area under Liluah police station limits and opened fire at close range.
Mondal received bullet injuries in the waist and shoulder and collapsed on the spot, while Rana was shot when he tried to resist the attackers. Locals took both of them to Belur State General Hospital. Later, Mondal was shifted to SSKM Hospital in Kolkata, where he died of his injuries. Rana, now admitted to a private hospital in North Howrah, is in critical condition.
Police investigation underway
Howrah Police Commissioner Praveen Tripathy visited the site soon after the incident. “A case of murder has been registered. We are examining CCTV camera footage, and efforts are being made to trace the accused,” he said. Sources said at least five rounds were fired during the attack.
Motive remains unclear, Senior TMC leaders demand arrests
Senior Trinamool leaders, including Howrah District (Sadar) president and MLA Goutam Chowdhury, MLA Kalyan Ghosh, and Domjur Youth Trinamool leader Noorj Molla, visited the hospitals. MLA Ghosh said the motive was unclear and demanded the immediate arrest of those involved in the shooting.
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As per the report, the police have identified a history-sheeter, Suman Choudhury, with cases of extortion and attempt to murder registered against him. Some local TMC workers also accused a man named Basu for the crime, though police said all angles were being investigated.
