07-Jul-2024 11:45 AM
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Chennai, July 7 (Reporter) Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) Supremo and former Uttar
Pradesh Chief Minister Mayawati on Sunday paid homage to the mortal remains
of party Tamil Nadu Unit President K Armstrong, who was murdered by a six
member gang on Friday night, and demanded a CBI probe into it.
Ms Mayawati, who arrived from Lucknow by a special aircraft, drove straight to a
private school in Perambur, where the body of Armstrong was kept for public to
pay their last respects, and paid her homage.
Ms Mayawati placed a wreath on the body of Armstrong and also consoled his
family members.
Police have made elaborate security arrangements in view of her visit and also
for the last rites of Mr Armstrong to be held later in the day.
Later, talking to reporters, Ms Mayawati demanded a CBI probe into the killing of
Armstrong and claimed that the real culprits were not arrested.
She also urged the Tamil Nadu government to maintain law and order and ensure
adequate security for the welfare of the dalits in the State and take steps to arrest \\\\
the real culprits involved in the murder.
Condemning the incident, Ms Mayawati expressed her deep shock and said "the
State government should order a CBI probe into the killing".
While appealing to the BSP cadres to maintain peace and calm, she said let the
State government do its duty of arresting the culprits involved in the incident.
It may be noted that police have so far arrested 11 people in connection with the
murder, which was said to be a sequel to the killing of a historysheeter "Arcot"
Suresh last year.
Greater Chennai City Police Commissioner Sandeep Rai Rathore ruled out
political angle into the murder and said police were probing all angles.
Categorically stating that there was no official report or complaint about a threat
to his life as claimed by the party, Mr Rathore said preliminary probe revealed that
previous enmity following the murder of Arcot Suresh was said to be the reason
for the murder.
However, the exact reason would be known only after a complete investigation,
he added.
Earlier, after post mortem the body of Armstrong was handed over his family last
night and it was taken to his Aynavaram residence, from where it was shifted to
the private school in Perambur today morning.
A large number of people, including political party leaders, paid their last respects
to the body of Armstrong.
Meanwhile, Ms Porkodi, wife of Armstrong, has moved the Madras High Court late
last night seeking permission to bury his body at the BSP party office in Perambur.
Accepting the plea made as an urgent mention before Acting Chief Justice R.Mahadevan,
the case will be heard today.
Based on the Court orders, the last rites would be performed, amid tight security...////...