KOLKATA: Police stations in border districts of West Bengal have ramped up surveillance and search operations, as investigators suspect the involvement of professional shooters from neighboring states in the killing of Chandranath Rath, a close aide of BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari, a senior officer told news agency PTI on Friday.
Logistical Support from Local Criminals Under Scrutiny
The police are also probing the role of local criminals who may have provided logistical support to the assailants, the officer added. More than 36 hours after Rath, who served as Adhikari's personal assistant, was gunned down by motorcycle-borne attackers in Madhyamgram, North 24 Parganas district, no arrests have been made yet.
“A detailed investigation is underway. The manner in which the attack was carried out suggests extensive reconnaissance and the possible involvement of hired sharpshooters from outside the state,” a senior police officer told PTI.
Checks and CCTV Footage Analysis
“Checks are being carried out at multiple points, and CCTV footage from areas along Jessore Road is being thoroughly scanned,” another senior officer said. According to probe findings, the gunmen allegedly followed Rath’s vehicle before launching the attack.
“The escape route of the gunmen indicates that they were familiar with the locality, or local criminals might have assisted them. Without local support, fleeing through the lanes so quickly would have been difficult,” the officer added. However, the police are yet to ascertain the motive behind the murder.
Security Deployment and Vehicle Registration Clue
Heavy deployment of police and central forces has been made in the area since the murder occurred on Wednesday night. “A motorcycle used in the crime was registered in 2012 in the name of a resident of Burnpur in Asansol. However, the police found that no person by that name currently resides at the address given during the vehicle registration process,” another officer said.
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