Middle-aged man beaten to death, probe underway

Kolkata: A middle-aged jutemill worker was allegedly hacked to death at Naihati in North 24 Parganas. The victim, Raju Balmiki (42), worked at Hajinagar Jute Mill. He was found murdered on Tuesday morning near Hanuman Temple at Chhaigada Maidan.

Deep cut marks and bullet injuries were found on the body suggesting that Balmiki was attacked with sharp cutting weapons first. His killers then opened fire on him to confirm his death, the police suspect.

Tension gripped the area after the recovery of the body. The rapid action force personnel were deployed as the local residents have demanded the arrest of the accused in the murder. Balmiki's family members have accused Tarak Choudhury, the councillor of ward no 19 of Halishahar Munic-ipality, of hiring contract killers to eliminate him.

Balmiki's minor daughter alleged that Mr Choudhury's aide Pradip Parsi misbeheaved with her in public two months ago. Her father protested against it only. According to her, Balmiki was killed by a group of contract killers for his protest. While the body has been sent for post-mortem, the police has initiated a case on (murder) charge under section 302 of the Indian Penal Code. in the killing. No one has been arrested so far.