A 60-year-old Communist Party of India (CPI) worker was reportedly kidnapped and brutally thrashed in Matihani police station area in Begusarai district on Thursday night, May 16. He later succumbed to his injuries in Begusarai Sadar hospital.
The victim, Fago Tanti (60), was a small farmer, as per a Times of India report. Fago’s brother Ramchandra Tanti has alleged that he was kidnapped from Mahaji village while he was returning from Pachrukhi Bahiyar on Thursday. Later, he was found lying in a pool of blood with multiple injuries near Bhawnadpur and rushed to a hospital. “Police lapses led to his murder,” Ramchandra told reporters.
As per the police, Fago was wearing a red-coloured T-shirt with the popular slogan ‘Hum le ke rahenge azadi‘ written on it. CPI Begusarai candidate Kanhaiya Kumar and his supporters have used this slogan during the election rallies. CPI secretary Anil Kumar Anjan said the murder was committed due to political rivalry. “Feudal forces in the area were not happy with Tanti. So they settled the score with him after the election,” Rai told TOI.
As per the report, the incident has sparked tension in the area. The local police are keeping a close vigil in the area, senior officials said.
Kanhaiya Kumar posted a tweet condoling Fago’s death. He wrote, “I am shocked to hear about the murder of senior CPI leader Comrade Fago Tanti in Begusarai. I pay my condolences to his relatives. We will not sit quietly till the culprits are not punished.”
बेगूसराय में सीपीआई के नेता कॉमरेड फागो तांती की निर्मम हत्या की ख़बर सुनकर स्तब्ध हूँ। उनके परिजनों के प्रति मेरी संवेदनाएँ। दोषियों को सज़ा दिलाए बिना हम चैन से नहीं बैठेंगे।
— Kanhaiya Kumar (@kanhaiyakumar) May 17, 2019