BJP worker killed in Malda; clashes break out in places during Durga immersion

A Bharatiya Janata Party worker was killed in Malda district’s English Bazaar area on Wednesday night (October 21, 2026). Clashes also broke out in Arambagh and Nalhati during Durga Puja immersion celebrations. Police used force to control the mob as tensions escalated in both places.

The 38-year-old worker Samir Ghosh was allegedly attacked outside his home and shot dead. Police said that they detained one suspect and are looking for other suspects as Mr. Ghosh was allegedly attacked by a group of miscreants.

The reason for the murder and the details of the incident are being investigated. Malda police visited the spot on Wednesday night (October 21).

Mr. Ghosh was a BJP worker, his brother Vivek Ghosh alleged that the deceased was murdered by Trinamool Congress workers. However, local Trinamool leadership has denied these allegations.

“He was alone in the house when this happened, 10-12 people attacked and killed him,” Vivek Ghosh said. Others were reportedly busy in Durga Puja celebrations when this incident happened.

English Bazaar MLA Amlan Bhaduri also blamed Trinamool for the attack and said that he has asked for immediate action against those involved in the crime. Meanwhile, local Trinamool leader Biswajit Ghosh said that the clashes were due to personal family feud and had no political relations.

Clashes during Bijaya Dashami

Two neighbourhoods got into a scuffle at Arambagh in Hooghly district as tensions escalated over Bijaya Dashami celebrations. The groups attacked each other with sticks which also led to vandalising houses. Police baton-charged the crowd to disperse the violent mob.

Clashes reportedly erupted after some miscreants from a neighbouring locality were accused of forcefully entering a celebration, which led to locals resorting to attacking the miscreants.

A similar clash erupted in Birbhum district’s Nalhati area where the locals objected to people bursting crackers during Bijaya Dashami celebrations and procession. Police resorted to baton-charging at Nalhati as well to control the violent crowd.