TMC Accuses Odisha Government of Targeting Bengali Workers Amid Controversy

TMC's Allegations Against Odisha Government

Kolkata/Bhubaneswar: The Trinamool Congress (TMC) has accused the BJP-led Odisha government of unlawfully detaining Bengali-speaking migrant workers under the guise of identifying unauthorized immigrants, despite these workers having valid identification.

The West Bengal ruling party has called for their immediate release and threatened to escalate the situation politically if this 'targeted harassment' persists.

An official from the Odisha Police, however, stated that the detained individuals do not possess valid documentation to prove their residency or citizenship.

He emphasized that the police are not singling out any particular community but are focused on national security.

TMC MPs, including Samirul Islam, who chairs the Migrant Workers' Welfare Board, and Mahua Moitra, have condemned the 'illegal detentions'.

Moitra took to social media, stating, '23 workers from Nadia are being held in illegal detention in Jharsuguda. I urge @SecyChief @DGPOdisha to release them immediately.'

She claimed that such incidents were unheard of during the 24-year governance of Naveen Patnaik's BJD, asserting, 'Do not think there is no one to fight for these workers.'

In another post, she mentioned that the detained workers hail from Mirzapur village in her constituency and are being held alongside 421 other Bengali workers at an interrogation center in Jharsuguda, despite having full documentation.

The MP representing Krishnanagar has tagged Naveen Patnaik, the DGP, and the chief secretary of Odisha in her posts.

According to TMC leaders, over 200 migrant workers from various districts, including Nadia, Murshidabad, and Malda, have been detained by Odisha police in recent weeks, suspected of being Bangladeshi nationals.

Samirul Islam accused the government of a 'deliberate pattern of harassment' based on the workers' language and origin.

'Once again, atrocities against Bengali-speaking migrant workers continue in Odisha's Jharsuguda district. The BJP-ruled Odisha government has detained over 200 migrant workers from Bengal districts on suspicion of being Bangladeshi nationals. This follows earlier detentions of hundreds,' Islam stated.

'What is their fault? That they speak Bengali? What grudge do @narendramodi and @AmitShah hold against these poor Bengalis?' he questioned.

Islam claimed that the top BJP leadership appears indifferent to the plight of these Bengali-speaking individuals.

'Will they at least consult with @Odisha_CMO to understand their situation? We have already approached the court. If this barbaric attitude continues, we will initiate a larger movement. Our Chief Secretary has already communicated with the Odisha Chief Secretary. Our Chief Minister @MamataOfficial has made it clear: Bengal will not tolerate any actions that cause suffering to our people working in other states,' he added.

Last week, West Bengal Chief Secretary Manoj Pant wrote to his Odisha counterpart, requesting intervention to halt the alleged 'harassment' of Bengali-speaking migrant workers.

In his letter, Pant noted that the detained workers, many of whom are daily wage earners, rickshaw pullers, and domestic workers, are being 'unjustly labeled as Bangladeshis' simply for speaking Bengali, their native language.

In response to these allegations, Himanshu Lal, IGP of Northern Range Sambalpur, acknowledged the concerns raised.

'However, safeguarding national interest and security remains paramount and cannot be compromised. The individuals under scrutiny lack valid documentation to establish their residency or citizenship, necessitating a thorough verification process to ascertain their identity,' he stated on social media.

Lal emphasized the need for meticulous verification to confirm whether individuals are Indian citizens or foreign nationals.

The verification is being conducted by senior officials through a Joint Investigation Team, ensuring that no Indian citizen is wrongfully detained or harassed.

'These individuals are being held in designated facilities with access to adequate food, water, hygiene, and medical care, in line with humanitarian standards,' Lal added.

He mentioned that those with valid documents are either returning or in the process of going back to their place of residence.

'We urge the public to refrain from speculation and trust the authorities to carry out this process transparently and fairly,' the IGP concluded.

In a recent crackdown on illegal immigrants, Odisha Police detained 448 individuals for document verification.