BJP worker in West Bengal's Purulia found dead floating in lake, party blames 'TMC goons'

A BJP worker in West Bengal's Purulia was found dead on Monday. His body was recovered from a lake in Shaktipur village with hands tied. The party claims he was targeted by cadres of the rival Trinamool Congress (TMC).

The deceased, identified as 54-year-old Dharmaraj Hazra, was a member of BJP's Shaktipur Mandal Committee. 

BJP chief Shah took to his Twitter handle to slam the state government and said under Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee's rule West Bengal has become an 'epitome of violence and brutality'.

"TMC shames humanity, yet again. Another BJP worker killed in the most barbaric manner. In Mamata's regime, West Bengal has become an epitome of violence & brutality. Entire BJP stands firmly with Dhormo Hazra's family in this hour of grief. My deepest condolences. Om Shanti," Shah Tweeted.

The body of the BJP worker, Dharmaraj Hazra, was found floating in a lake earlier in the day.

Hazra, hands, and feet were tied with a rope when his body was recovered.

The incident comes in the backdrop of two BJP workers in Purulia being found dead under mysterious circumstances. The bodies of Trilochan Mahato and Dulal Kumar were recovered from two villages of Purulia on May 31 and June 2.

Earlier in the day, BJP workers in Purulia staged a demonstration in front of Santaldih police station, seeking action against TMC workers who allegedly kidnapped the party's labour-wing member Parimal Mahato. Hours later, however, it was learnt that Mahato had jumped ship to the Trinamool.