Sat Jan 04 04:40:23 UTC 2025: ## Three Arrested in Murder of West Bengal Trinamool Congress Councillor

**KOLKATA, January 4, 2025** – Three individuals have been arrested in connection with the murder of Trinamool Congress councillor Dulal Sarkar, who was gunned down in Malda, West Bengal, on Thursday. Sarkar, a six-time councillor and vice-chairperson of the party’s district unit, was chased and shot by four assailants on motorbikes. CCTV footage captured the attack, showing Sarkar fleeing into a shop before being shot. He was pronounced dead at Malda Medical College and Hospital.

Three suspects were presented in a Malda court on Friday and remanded in 14-day police custody. Three more are currently detained, and the investigation is ongoing. While the West Bengal Police Criminal Investigation Department (CID) visited the scene, they are not currently leading the investigation.

Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee expressed shock and grief, criticizing the police for their alleged negligence and the removal of Sarkar’s security detail. She has instructed the Director General of Police to take stern action and investigate intelligence failures. Minister Firhad Hakim echoed calls for swift justice and the apprehension of all those involved. He also faced protests from bereaved party workers who questioned the lack of security for a senior leader.

Sarkar’s murder is the latest in a series of attacks targeting Trinamool Congress leaders in the state in recent years, raising concerns about law and order. Similar incidents include the murder of Trinamool MLA Satyajit Biswas in 2019 and councillor Anupam Dutta in 2022. An attempt was also recently made on another Trinamool councillor. Sarkar’s cremation took place Friday morning.

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