Kolkata: A Trinamool Congress booth president was found brutally murdered in North 24 Parganas’ Haroa on Thursday, March 19, marking a chilling start to pre-poll violence in Bengal and raising fresh fears of escalating political tensions in the state.

The victim, Moshiur Kazi (38), a resident of Gangnia village under Deganga’s Chapatala panchayat, was discovered on Thursday morning in Jhujurgacha village within the Haroa police station limits.

His blood-soaked body was found lying by the roadside, partially wrapped in a thin blanket. Locals spotted the body early in the morning and immediately alerted police.

Preliminary findings suggest extreme brutality. Kazi’s wrists had been severed, and his body bore multiple deep wounds consistent with hacking by a sharp-edged weapon. Family members have further alleged that acid was poured on his face, possibly to prevent identification.

Police reached the spot, recovered the body, and initially sent it to Haroa Rural Hospital before shifting it to Basirhat District Hospital for post-mortem examination.

Kazi served as the Trinamool Congress booth president of Booth No. 178 in his locality. His family claims he had received a phone call around 9 pm on Wednesday, after which he left home and went missing. His mobile phone was found switched off thereafter.

After an overnight search, the family was informed on Thursday morning that his body had been recovered.

While the exact motive remains unclear, Kazi’s elder brother has alleged a political angle behind the killing, intensifying concerns over rising tensions ahead of the West Bengal elections. Police have launched an investigation and are probing all possible angles, including political rivalry.