KULTOLI: Two persons were arrested on Thursday by the South 24-Parganas police in connection with the murder of a local SUCI leader Hasim Khan on Wednesday. A 12-hour bandh, called by the SUCI at Kultoli was total, with life coming to a standstill.

Khan, 65, a resident of Monirtot village under Joynagar police station, was killed allegedly by CPM supporters. Around 1:30 am, a group of 20-22 men knocked at his door, introducing themselves as officers of the Joynagar police station.

When Khan opened the door, the group hacked him with choppers and then shot him. He died on the spot. The group then fled hurling bombs, in which Khan’s brother Shahidul and son Amanullah were injured.

The death created a huge uproar in the area, with local villagers blocking the Joynagar-Kultoli Road and refusing to let go of the body. The situation was defused when the additional superintendent of police (rural) Rajesh Kumar Singh arrived and promised to arrest the culprits.