Alleging that the CPM was behind the incident, the local Congress leaders today disrupted traffic movement on the national highway for around four hours and announced a 24-hour general strike in Nadia.

Masjid Biswas (30) and Ibrahim Sheikh (27) were riding on a motorcycle when they were allegedly attacked. The incident took place at Islampur crossing near Tarunipur village.

“Suspected CPM cadres attacked them with sharp weapons. While Biswas died on the spot, Ibrahim is in a critical condition at the Shaktinagar district hospital,” Nadia Youth Congress president Samar Chakraborty told The Indian Express.

While Ibrahim is the nephew of present Pathorghat gram panchayat member Abbas Ali Sheikh, Biswas had defected from CPM and joined the Congress a little over a month ago, sources said.

“It could be that Biswas was killed for defecting from the CPM. With the panchayat polls nearing, the CPM is eager to gain lost ground in Tehatta. They were strong here earlier but in recent times their hold has weakened and the Congress has grown stronger,” sources said.

Nadia Superintendent of Police Hari Kishore Kusumakar said the police do not consider the incident as a poll-related violence.