Burdwan, 06 May 04 :  
A Trinamool Congress local leader, Kinkar Maji (40) was murdered yesterday night at Nabagram village under Mongalkot police station area. Although police sources informed that, Maji has been murdered due to a conflict started at the local Dharmaraj puja, the Trinamool Congress have accused the CPI(M) for `intentionally murdering the TMC leader.' Out of the 27 persons against whom complained, 5 persons have been arrested so far by the police.

The district organisor of the Trinamool Congress, Chandranath Mukherjee informed, "CPI(M) took advantage of the puja & murdered Kinkar when the area was isolated. His body was covered by stocks of hay. Kinkar was quite popular & influential in the village. CPI(M) wanted to terrorise our supporters & want to wipe off all the oddities against them." When he was informed about the police version of the incident, he said, "police is acting as their cadre. We will lodge complaint against them at the election commission."

The district secretary of the CPI(M), Amal Halder informed, "this incident happened due to a conflict amongst two groups of the villagers. There is no political connection along with this. TMC is trying to publicise the incident on the eve of the election in hope to gain from it." When mentioned that, one amongst the arrested is a CPI(M) cadre & the main accused, a CPI(M) leader, he said, "it may happen some of the accused is our supporter, but this doesn't link the party's involvement with the incident. Law will take its own course."

The superintendent of police, K C Meena informed, "this incident occurred when the members of Bagdipara & Bauripara started a conflict among themselves on issue of drinking at the puja ceremony. Kinkar Maji was killed & 6 other were injured. 5 persons have been arrested in connection with the murder & the hunt is on for the rest of the accused. There is no political connection to the incident."