Tamil Nadu BSP chief’s murder: Mayawati demands CBI probe, slams law-and-order situation in state

“The way he was killed, shows there is nothing called law and order in Tamil Nadu. Those who have killed him, the real culprits have not been nabbed,” she said. “The real culprits have not been nabbed. Transfer the probe to CBI. We are not hopeful that the state government will ensure justice. So, refer the matter to CBI immediately,” she added.

Assuring that her party would not stay silent over the matter, the BSP supremo stated: “Our party has taken this incident very seriously. Our state unit will not sit quietly. We will continue to exert pressure on the state government. Mayawati was in Chennai on Sunday to pay tribute to Armstrong.

She went on to express her condolences to the family of the slain leader, saying she will pray to god to give them strength. Also, urging people to not take the law into their hands, she added: “To ensure action against the accused, the party cadre should come forward, however, at the same time, I request you to stay within the limits of law and not take law and order in your own hands.”

K Armstrong was hacked to death by a six-member gang on Friday evening near Perambur in the city. The 47-year-old was chatting with friends and supporters near his house when the assailants attacked him with deadly weapons.

A special team, led by Sembium Inspector of Police Chiranjeevi, was formed to track down the suspects. According to preliminary investigation, the party leader was murdered in retaliation for the killing of a gangster, Arcot Suresh, in August last year.

Suresh, a native of Vellore and a Dalit, was a known figure in Perambur but had a contentious relationship with Armstrong, officials added.

Chennai city police have arrested eight people in the matter so far – Suresh’s brother Ponnai V Baalu (39), D Ramu (38), K Thiruvengatam (33), S Thirumalai (45), D Selvaraj (48), G Arul (33), K Manivannan (25) and J Santosh (22).