Second murder in less than 24 hours shakes Bengal's South 24 Parganas

Raijdighi in South 24 Parganas district has seen a troubling surge in violent crime, with two murders reported within a span of 24 hours. The latest victim, Sheikh Bahadur, 57, was attacked on Tuesday morning while seated at a tea shop in Boler Bazar, which is part of the Nandakumarpur gram panchayat. This follows the earlier murder of a young man on Sunday, causing significant alarm among the local community regarding public safety and law enforcement effectiveness in the region.

Around 7:30 AM on Tuesday, Bahadur was enjoying his morning tea when an unidentified assailant approached him from behind. Eyewitness accounts indicate that the attacker wielded a sharp weapon, striking Bahadur on the back of his head and neck. The assault was sudden and brutal; witnesses reported that Bahadur fell to the ground almost immediately, bleeding profusely from his injuries. Local residents quickly mobilized to transport Bahadur to Raijdighi rural hospital, but medical staff pronounced him dead upon arrival. The attack has left many in the community shaken, as it occurred in a public space during the busy morning hours.

The police have launched a comprehensive investigation into the murder, focusing on potential motives. Preliminary reports suggest that a financial dispute may have contributed to the crime. Authorities have retrieved Bahadur’s body and transferred it to the Diamond Harbour hospital morgue for a post-mortem examination to determine the exact cause of death. Eyewitnesses provided descriptions of the assailant, who has been identified as Shahadat Sheikh, a man allegedly seen fleeing the scene shortly after the attack. The police are actively pursuing leads related to Shahadat’s whereabouts and background, including any previous criminal activity. In light of these violent incidents, local law enforcement agencies are increasing their presence in Raijdighi. Authorities are also looking into the background of both murder victims to identify any connections that may link the two cases.