State politics in West Bengal was rocked at the very start of the New Year after a Trinamul Congress leader was shot dead in Raiganj town of North Dinajpur district last midnight.
Nabendu Ghosh (37), vice-president of the Trinamul Congress youth wing in North Dinajpur, was gunned down in front of his residence while attending a picnic with friends shortly after welcoming the New Year. The incident, occurring ahead of the 2026 Assembly elections, has sent shockwaves through political circles.
According to police sources, the shooting happened around 12.30 a.m. near Mohanbati Market in the Milanpara area of Raiganj. Miscreants suddenly opened fire on Ghosh, hitting him in the chest. He collapsed on the spot in a pool of blood. Locals rushed him to Raiganj Medical College and Hospital, where doctors declared him brought dead.
Police from Raiganj police station reached the spot soon after being alerted. CCTV footage from the area was examined, leading to the arrest of two suspects later in the night. An improvised firearm used in the crime has also been recovered. Police confirmed gunshot injury marks on the victim’s body and said investigations are underway to determine whether the murder was politically motivated or the result of personal enmity.
A former general secretary of the Raiganj University students’ union, Ghosh was known to be popular across party lines. His killing has plunged the district’s political fraternity into mourning and raised concerns over law and order.
Family members said Ghosh had briefly returned home before midnight to wish them a Happy New Year and then went out again. His father, Pranab Ghosh, described the family’s shock and grief following the incident.
District Trinamul Congress president Kanaiyalal Agarwal said police have begun a thorough probe and expressed confidence that the culprits would be brought to justice. Meanwhile, district Congress president Mohit Sengupta demanded strong steps to rid the town of criminal elements.