TMC Leader Gunned Down in Howrah: Probe Launched Amid Tensions Ahead of 2026 Polls
Image Source: Internet
A shocking incident of targeted violence shook West Bengal's Howrah late Thursday night when unidentified assailants shot dead a Trinamool Congress (TMC) leader and left his associate critically injured. Debobrata Mondal, alias Babu Mondal, a gram panchayat member, was returning home on a motorcycle with his associate Anupam Rana when the attack occurred near Nishchinda-Buro Shibtala area. According to police, two motorcycle-borne assailants approached them and fired several rounds at close range. Mondal sustained severe injuries in the waist and shoulder and collapsed, while Anupam was hit while trying to resist the attackers. Local residents rushed both men to Belur State General Hospital, where Mondal was later shifted to SSKM Hospital in Kolkata. Unfortunately, he succumbed to his injuries. Anupam remains in critical condition at a private hospital in North Howrah. The incident has sent shockwaves in the area, with senior TMC leaders, including Howrah District (Sadar) president and MLA Goutam Chowdhury, visiting the hospitals. MLA Kalyan Ghosh demanded the immediate arrest of those involved, citing that the motive behind the attack was still unclear. Police sources revealed that at least five rounds were fired during the assault and have identified Suman Choudhury, a history-sheeter with previous cases of extortion and attempted murder, as a person of interest in the probe. The killing has heightened tensions ahead of the 2026 Assembly elections, with local TMC workers alleging the involvement of a man known as Basu. Police Commissioner Praveen Tripathy has assured that a case of murder has been registered and efforts are being made to trace the accused, examining CCTV footage. The investigation is ongoing, with all angles being investigated.
