A suspect implicated in the killing of K Armstrong, the Tamil Nadu chief of the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP), was fatally shot by police during an encounter on Saturday night, authorities reported.
Identified as Thiruvengadam, a known criminal with ties to Armstrong’s murder, he was confronted by police near Madhavaram in Chennai. Thiruvengadam had allegedly tracked Armstrong for several days before the fatal attack.
Armstrong was brutally attacked on July 5 by a group of assailants on motorcycles wielding knives, resulting in his death near his residence in Chennai’s Perambur area. The incident led to the arrest of 11 suspects thus far and sparked significant political criticism directed at the state government under MK Stalin, citing concerns over law and order.
Following the incident, BSP leader Mayawati called for a CBI investigation, expressing doubts about the identity of those in custody. Chief Minister Stalin visited Armstrong’s family to offer condolences, promising justice for the slain leader and reassurance that all responsible parties would face legal consequences.