BJP supporter Kishan Haldar hacked to death in Malda; 2 arrested
Synopsis
A 28-year-old BJP supporter was hacked to death in West Bengal's Malda district hours after receiving a mysterious phone call — his body found 500 metres from home with a cleaver nearby. Two arrests have been made, but the killing lands amid a wave of post-poll violence sweeping Bengal after the 4 May election results, raising urgent questions about law and order.
Key Takeaways
Kishan Haldar , 28 , a BJP supporter, was hacked to death in English Bazar, Malda , late on Wednesday night, 7 May .
His body was found in Baganpara, Maheshpur , about 500 metres from his home, with a large knife beside it.
Two persons , including neighbour Golam Halder and his son Suman Halder , have been arrested.
The BJP has stated the killing was not politically motivated, citing a personal dispute between the parties.
The incident follows a spate of post-poll violence reported across West Bengal after election results were declared on 4 May .
A Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) supporter was hacked to death in English Bazar, Malda district, West Bengal, late on Wednesday night, police confirmed on Thursday, 7 May. The deceased has been identified as Kishan Haldar, 28, a resident of the Gadua More area of Ward No. 1 of the English Bazar Municipality. Two persons have since been arrested in connection with the incident.
How the Incident Unfolded
According to Haldar's family, he received a phone call late on Wednesday night and stepped out of his home. He never returned. His body was subsequently recovered in the Baganpara area of Maheshpur, approximately 500 metres from his residence. A large knife was found beside the body.
Police said their initial assessment is that Kishan Haldar was killed with a cleaver. Two of his friends were also reportedly injured in the same incident. The body has been sent for an autopsy.
Accused Named, Two in Custody
Several individuals have been named in the case, including Haldar's neighbour Golam Halder and his son Suman Halder. According to police, the two arrests were made in the early hours of Thursday morning. Central forces and police personnel reached the spot immediately after the incident, as tension spread across the area.
BJP Distances Murder from Politics
The BJP has stated that the killing should not be characterised as a political murder. Party representatives said there was a pre-existing personal dispute between Kishan Haldar and the accused — Golam Halder and Suman Halder. The BJP further claimed that the accused individuals carry no political affiliation.
Post-Poll Violence Backdrop in West Bengal
The killing comes amid a broader wave of reported post-poll violence in West Bengal following the declaration of Assembly election results on 4 May. Reports have emerged from across the state of All India Trinamool Congress (TMC) workers being assaulted, party offices vandalised, and political posters destroyed. In several other incidents, BJP workers have reportedly been targeted and injured. Police have warned that strict action will be taken against those found engaging in violence.
The incident underscores the volatile law-and-order situation in parts of Bengal in the immediate post-election period, with security forces on heightened alert across sensitive districts.
Point of View
But it also leaves open the question of why central forces were deployed to the scene if the dispute was purely personal. West Bengal's post-poll violence cycle is a recurring pattern after every major election, and the speed of arrests here is unusual by historical standards. What remains unexamined is the broader institutional failure: if tension was already high after the 4 May results, why were vulnerable individuals not better protected? The autopsy findings and charge sheet will be the real test of whether this case is handled with the rigour the political temperature demands.
NationPress
11 May 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who was Kishan Haldar and how was he killed?
Kishan Haldar was a 28-year-old BJP supporter from English Bazar in West Bengal's Malda district. He was allegedly lured out of his home by a phone call late Wednesday night and was found hacked to death approximately 500 metres away, with a large knife recovered near his body.
Who has been arrested in connection with the Malda killing?
Police have arrested two persons in connection with the murder, including Kishan Haldar's neighbour Golam Halder and his son Suman Halder. The arrests were made in the early hours of Thursday, 7 May.
Was the killing politically motivated?
The BJP has stated that the murder was not politically motivated and was the result of a personal dispute between Kishan Haldar and the accused. The party also claimed the accused have no political affiliation, though police investigations are ongoing.
What is the post-poll violence situation in West Bengal?
Since the West Bengal Assembly election results were declared on 4 May, multiple incidents of violence have been reported across the state. These include attacks on TMC workers, vandalisation of party offices, and targeting of BJP workers. Police have pledged strict action against those involved.
What action has the administration taken?
Central forces and local police reached the scene immediately after the incident. The body has been sent for autopsy, and two suspects have been arrested. Authorities have warned of strong action against anyone found engaging in post-poll violence across the state.
