Congress panchayat leader killed in bomb attack in Malda

On Sunday morning, Congress leader Saifuddin Sheikh, 42, was allegedly murdered in the Gopalpur area of Manikchak, Malda. According to police reports, Saifuddin was killed following a clash with members of a rival political group, escalating tensions in the region. The police recovered the body and sent it for an autopsy. In response to the unrest, a police picket has been deployed to restore order.

Sources revealed that Saifuddin had a long-standing dispute with Nasir Sheikh, the regional president of the Trinamool Congress in Gopalpur. The rivalry between the two political factions has persisted for years, with tensions flaring up during the recent panchayat elections. Gopalpur, already known for being a hotspot of political violence, witnessed another murder during that period.

According to residents, the area remains calm only when police are present. However, political clashes reignite as soon as they leave. On Sunday, the situation escalated when Saifuddin's faction clashed with that of Nasir Sheikh. Amidst the skirmish, bombs were allegedly thrown at Saifuddin, with two reportedly hitting him in the back, leading to his death on the spot.

A relative of the deceased Congress leader expressed deep anger, accusing Nasir Sheikh of being responsible for the killing. "Nasir killed my cousin’s son earlier. Now he has killed Saifuddin too. He is spreading terror in the area," the relative stated, describing the ongoing enmity between the two factions as an old grudge.