BJP leader's mother's body lies in morgue, family in hiding
What's the story
Kakali Kshetrapal, a BJP leader's mother was killed in post-poll clashes in West Bengal's Purba Bardhaman. The dead body of the woman has been lying in the morgue for around two days as her family members went into hiding after the police started a hunt for them in connection with the murder of two TMC workers.
Clashes
Clashes broke out between TMC and BJP supporters in Nabagram
Clashes broke out in Nabagram in the Jamalpur Police Station area between the supporters of the TMC and BJP on Monday, a day after the election results were announced. "Kakali (47), the mother of BJP's Nabagram area chief Ashish Kshetrapal, was allegedly killed in the clashes. TMC workers Shajahan Shah (30) and Bibhash Bagh (27) were also allegedly killed," police said.
Details
Kakali's family members and several BJP leaders are in hiding
Soon after the incident, central forces were deployed in the area and the police started a manhunt, following which Kakali's family members along with several other local BJP leaders went into hiding. Police said on Wednesday that they have arrested 11 people in connection with the incident based on the complaints filed by both parties.
Death
Body sent to police morgue, has been there ever since
"Even as Kakali's body was lying in Jamalpur Hospital for a long time on Monday, none of the BJP leaders went there," local party workers said. Later, police took the body to Jamalpur police station. On Tuesday, the body was sent to the police morgue in Burdwan Medical College and Hospital for post-mortem and it has been lying there ever since.
TMC
Meanwhile, TMC leaders participated in last rites of party workers
On the other side, several TMC leaders visited the village after the clashes and were throughout with the family members of the two party workers killed. They even took part in their last rites. Sub-divisional Police Officer (Burdwan South) Aminul Islam confirmed that Kakali's body was still at the morgue as no one was available to take it.
Quote
'Party's mandal presidents have been repeatedly told to visit hospital'
The BJP's Jamalpur assembly constituency convenor Jiten Dakal said that he could not visit the hospital but had asked the party's mandal presidents repeatedly to do the needful. "If they don't go, what can I do?" he said.
Contact
Trying to contact Kakali's daughter, son-in-law to complete formalities: Police
Meanwhile, CPI(M) leader Samar Ghosh said that Kakali was a member of his party and they have been trying to get her body from the morgue. Police sources also said that they are trying to contact Kakali's daughter and son-in-law, who live in the Hooghly district, for handing over the body and completing the other formalities.