Migrant Worker Killed in Odisha Amid Allegations of Being Bangladeshi
Tragic Incident in Sambalpur District
In a shocking incident in Odisha, a migrant worker from West Bengal was brutally killed, suspected of being 'Bangladeshi'. According to police reports from Thursday, a group of six individuals allegedly confronted a group of migrant workers, demanding beedis and then asking to see their Aadhaar cards, which led to a violent attack. One worker lost his life, and several others sustained injuries.
The Odisha police stated that the violence erupted late Wednesday night over a dispute regarding beedis. However, the workers and the victim's family claimed they were assaulted due to suspicions of being Bangladeshi nationals.
Political Reactions and Arrests
The incident has drawn political attention, with the ruling Trinamool Congress (TMC) in West Bengal attributing the attack to a long-standing campaign by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) against Bengalis. Police confirmed that six suspects have been apprehended in connection with the case.
The deceased, identified as Jewel Sheikh, aged 30, was working at a construction site in the Shanti Nagar area of Anthapalli police station with other migrant workers. Reports indicate that while the workers were preparing food, the group approached them for beedis and subsequently demanded to see their Aadhaar cards. This led to a heated argument that escalated into a physical altercation.
Details of the Attack
During the confrontation, Jewel Sheikh suffered severe head injuries and succumbed to his wounds at Sambalpur Hospital. Another migrant worker, Majar Khan, recounted that they were first asked for beedis and then for their Aadhaar cards, after which Jewel was struck on the head with a hard object.
Nizamuddin Khan, another witness, claimed that the attackers insulted them by calling them Bangladeshis and assaulted Sheikh along with two other workers, who are currently receiving treatment in the hospital.
Himanshu Kumar Lal, the Inspector General of Police for the Northern Range, confirmed the arrests and stated that the investigation is ongoing. He clarified that the murder was not related to the victim's ethnicity.
Ongoing Investigation
The police are continuing their investigation to determine if any additional individuals were involved in the crime. The TMC has alleged that the attackers suspected Jewel of being an illegal Bangladeshi immigrant, which led to his brutal murder.
The party has held the BJP accountable for the incident, claiming it is a direct result of the BJP's long-term anti-Bengali campaign. They accused BJP leaders of portraying Bengali-speaking Indians as infiltrators and outsiders.
In response to these allegations, the Inspector General of Police reiterated that the murder was not connected to whether the victim was Bengali or Bangladeshi.