T.N. BSP leader Armstrong murder: Eight arrested; supporters stage road roko in Chennai

The Chennai city police have nabbed eight suspects in connection with the murder of Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) T.N. president K. Armstrong. The murder took place in Sembium on the night of Friday, July 5, 2024.

The Chennai city police have nabbed eight suspects in connection with the murder of Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) T.N. president K. Armstrong. The murder took place in Sembium on the night of Friday, July 5, 2024.

Mr. Armstrong was hacked to death by a gang of six men, who were disguised as food delivery executives, and who came on bikes and attacked him while he was standing near a construction site on Venugopalasamy Street, Sembium. Two of his friends who attempted to prevent the attack were also injured. The gang quickly fled the scene.

The murder triggered protests by Mr. Armstrong’s supporters and tension prevailed in parts of north Chennai. A large number of his supporters gathered on EVR Periyar Salai near Rajiv Gandhi Government General Hospital and staged a road roko that continued into Saturday (July 6) morning. A heavy posse of police force was posted. Traffic was affected on the arterial road.

Police have said said the eight suspects including: Selvam, Manivannan, Selvaraj, Ponnai Balu and four others have been arrested so far. Further investigations are on.

It is believed that Armstrong had threatened one of the men due to previous enmity between them, police sources added.

Chief Minister M.K. Stalin, on July 6, said he had directed the police to speed up the investigation into the murder, and to bring to book, those who were involved in the crime.

In a social media message, he said Mr. Stalin was shocked by the murder. “The police have arrested those who were behind the murder last night. I express my condolences to his family members and partymen,” he said.