Rahul Gandhi reacts to Tamil Nadu BSP chief Armstrong’s killing: ‘Deeply shocked’ | Latest News India

Leader of the Opposition (LoP) in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi on Saturday said he was “deeply shocked” by the killing of Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) state president K Armstrong in Chennai.

“I am deeply shocked by the brutal and heinous murder of Thiru Armstrong, the leader of the Bahujan Samaj Party in Tamil Nadu. My deepest condolences go to his family, friends and supporters,” Gandhi wrote in a message on X.

The Congress leader also said that his party’s Tamil Nadu unit leaders were in touch with the state government.

“The Tamil Nadu Congress leaders are in constant touch with the Tamil Nadu government and I am confident that the government will ensure that the culprits are brought to justice at the earliest,” Gandhi added.

K Armstrong was hacked to death by a six-member gang near his home in Chennai on Friday.

The gang attacked Armstrong, a former councillor of Chennai Municipal Corporation, near his house in Perambur and fled before inflicting serious injuries on him. He died on the way to hospital.

Police have so far arrested eight suspects in connection with Armstrong’s murder.

“We have arrested eight suspects so far. This is a preliminary investigation. After some time, a clearer and more precise picture will emerge with more facts and circumstances coming to light,” Deputy Commissioner (North) Asra Garg told reporters.

Garg also said police suspected there were “two or three suspicious motives” behind Armstrong’s killing, but added that the exact reason would only be revealed after the suspects were questioned.

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin also expressed shock over Armstrong’s murder and said he had directed the police to investigate the case expeditiously and ensure that the culprits are punished according to law.

“I would like to convey my deepest condolences and sympathy to the bereaved family and friends,” he said.