'Is this democracy in Bengal?': BJP targets Mamata Banerjee over saffron party worker's killing

BJP spokesperson Sambit Patra, who was addressing a press conference on the murder of his party worker Manish Shukla, said, "I want to ask Mamata Banerjee, is this the democracy in Bengal?"

"Murder has become a new normal in West Bengal," he also said.

BJP worker Manish Shukla was shot at Titagarh in North 24 Parganas district on Sunday evening. He later succumbed to his injuries.

The saffron party has accused the ruling Trinamool Congress (TMC) of having a role in the murder.

In protest against the crime, the West Bengal unit of BJP called for a 12-hour bandh at Barrackpore on Monday.

Taking a dig at Banerjee's sending of a TMC delegation to Uttar Pradesh's Hathras where a 19-year old woman was gangraped and later died, Patra on Monday said, "When will she visit Manish Shukla's house? When will she send a TMC delegation to Manish Shukla's house?"

Not trusting the police of the state, BJP leader Mukul Roy has demanded an independent inquiry into the incident. 

"The incident must be probed by an independent agency otherwise we all know what would be the result. The state is going to polls in 2021. People will give the justice," said Roy. 

Meanwhile, the West Bengal Police has put up a tweet stating it is investigating all possible reasons including personal enmity behind the murder and asked people not to jump into any conclusion.

It tweeted, "A person was shot dead last evening in Titagarh area of Barrackpore. Police is investigating the crime and looking into all possible reasons including personal enmity because the victim was accused in some cases of murder and attempt of murder.."

"Please do not jump on conclusion without proper investigation. Irresponsible comments on social media tantamount to interference in the investigation. Please refrain from this."