Nabakumar Karmakar was shot at and hacked to death in front of his father Panchanan while they were on their way home in Chanditolla. Though the victim’s family members have lodged an FIR naming four local CPM workers, the party have denied having any role in the murder.

“We have started a probe. Those responsible will be arrested soon,” said Debasish Bej, Additional Superintendent of Police, Hooghly. The police said that Rs 6,500 and about 15gm gold which Nabakumar was carrying in a bag was also stolen. “It is still not clear whether it is a political murder or handiwork of local thieves,” said an officer of the Chanditolla police station.

Nabakumar and Panchanan used to run a jewellery shop in the area. They were travelling on two bicycles when four armed goons stopped them near Moshat football ground. They shot at Nabakumar in the neck and then hacked him. His father, who tried to protest, was also beaten up. Nabakumar died on the spot, the police said.

“Though they had their faces covered but I am sure they were CPM-backed goons. I have named four suspects in my FIR. I tried to stop them but they beat me up and I lost consciousness,” said Panchanan.

Panchanan said his family was facing problems from local CPM men, after they had donated land for a primary school in nearby Mukundopur. “Local CPM leaders wanted us to give away some land for making a road there and were threatening us,” Panchanan added.

“Everyday, many party workers are being killed by CPM-backed goons, while police look the other way,” said Tapan Dasgupta, district president of the Trinamool.