TMC Gram Panchayat Member Assassinated in West Bengal: Political Tensions Rise Ahead of 2026 Elections

The murder has intensified political tensions in the region as the 2026 Assembly elections approach.

Howrah:

A Trinamool Congress gram panchayat member was fatally shot and his companion severely wounded when unknown attackers fired upon them in Howrah, West Bengal, late Thursday night, according to police reports.

Debobrata Mondal, commonly known as Babu Mondal, a member of the Sampuipara-Basukathi gram panchayat, was traveling home on a motorcycle with his associate Anupam Rana around 11 pm when they were attacked near the Nishchinda-Buro Shibtala area within Liluah police jurisdiction, a senior police official stated on Friday.

Investigators reported that two assailants on a motorcycle approached the victims and discharged multiple rounds at close range.

Mondal sustained gunshot wounds to his waist and shoulder, causing him to collapse immediately, while Anupam was shot when attempting to defend against the attackers.

Area residents quickly transported both injured men to Belur State General Hospital.

Mondal was subsequently transferred to SSKM Hospital in Kolkata, where he succumbed to his injuries, according to hospital sources.

Anupam, who was moved to a private medical facility in North Howrah, remains in critical condition.

Howrah Police Commissioner Praveen Tripathy visited the crime scene with a team shortly after the incident occurred.

"A murder case has been registered. We are analyzing CCTV footage, and efforts are underway to locate the perpetrators," he explained.

Prominent Trinamool Congress officials, including Howrah District (Sadar) president and MLA Goutam Chowdhury, MLA Kalyan Ghosh, and Domjur Youth Trinamool leader Noorj Molla, visited the hospitals where the victims were receiving treatment.

MLA Ghosh stated that the motivation behind the attack remained unclear and called for the swift apprehension of those responsible.

Police sources indicated that approximately five shots were fired during the assault.

Suman Choudhury, who has previous charges of extortion and attempted murder, has become a person of interest in the investigation.

The killing has escalated tensions in the area as the 2026 Assembly elections approach, with some local TMC members suggesting the involvement of an individual known as Basu, though police stated they are investigating all possible angles.

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