Tahiruddin S.K., a resident of Basantia village, has now been admitted to the NRS Medical College and Hospital here in a serious condition after he attempted to take his own life on Thursday.
A senior police officer of East Midnapore district said Tahiruddin, a mason, could have been "mentally distressed".
"He has multiple stab injuries. Now, the priority is his medical attention. He may be mentally distressed also. But till the doctor gives clearance we cannot talk to him," said the police officer.
A relative of the victim said that Tahiruddin was worried about the fallout of the Citizenship Amendment Act and National Register of Citizens.
"He was not directly linked to any political party, but recently took part in several protests against the CAA and NRC.
"He looked worried. He used to discuss with various people what will happen. He was always worried about the mistakes in his documentation. He used to run from one person to another detailing them," said the relative.
State's ruling Trinamool Congress leader and Contai-2 Panchayat Samiti Vice President Tarun Jana said people in Muslim populated areas are living in fear now. "The government has to increase efforts to assure the people".
But the opposition Bharatiya Janata party has blamed the Trinamool for the incident.
"The Trinamool Congress and its leadership have to take responsibility. The state ruling party is misleading people on the Citizenship (Amendment) Act. They are evoking fears among the people through their campaigns against NRC," BJP's Contai Organisational District Vice President Anup Chakraborty told .
( With inputs from IANS )