West Bengal Government Claims Detention of Migrant Workers in Odisha

Allegations of Detention of Migrant Workers

The government of West Bengal has raised concerns that approximately 100 migrant workers from the state have been detained in Odisha and subsequently sent to detention facilities, suspected of being Bangladeshi nationals, as reported by a local news outlet on Monday.

In May, the Odisha government, led by the Bharatiya Janata Party, initiated a statewide campaign aimed at identifying and deporting undocumented Bangladeshi migrants residing in the region.

Samirul Islam, a Rajya Sabha MP from the Trinamool Congress and head of West Bengal’s Migrant Welfare Board, stated that “senior administrative officials and police have contacted their counterparts in Odisha” regarding these alleged unlawful detentions, according to the report.

“Yet, the unfortunate migrant workers remain in custody,” Islam expressed on Monday. “This situation is unconstitutional.”

He further asserted, “These individuals are Indian citizens from Bengal who traveled to Odisha for employment. Instead, they have been detained and wrongfully identified as Bangladeshis. We will ensure their return home.”

Islam noted that this pattern appears to be occurring “in state after state under BJP governance.”

Conversely, an unnamed official from the Odisha government refuted the claims, stating that “no one is being held at any police station.”

The official explained that the government is conducting identity verifications as part of a broader national initiative in light of recent regional developments.

“We are merely confirming their identities and are coordinating with the West Bengal government,” the official was quoted as saying.

This incident follows closely on the heels of an event where four men from West Bengal, who had been apprehended by the Maharashtra Police and subsequently “pushed” into Bangladesh, were brought back on June 15 after the Murshidabad Police in West Bengal provided evidence of their Indian citizenship.

In recent weeks, Indian authorities have been implementing a policy aimed at pushing individuals identified as undocumented migrants back into Bangladesh. Since the launch of “Operation Sindoor,” a military initiative targeting terrorist camps in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir, over 2,000 individuals have been sent back.

The legality of this “push back” policy has sparked debate both domestically and internationally. Experts have indicated that the policy contravenes India’s obligations under international law and customary international law.