Kolkata: Odisha has once again witnessed attacks on migrant workers from West Bengal in a BJP-ruled state. In a shocking incident, migrant labourers from Murshidabad were allegedly subjected to a brutal mob lynching on suspicion of being “Bangladeshis,” resulting in the death of one worker.
The deceased has been identified as Jewel Rana (21), a resident of the Chak Bahadurpur area under the Suti police station in Murshidabad district. Two others—Atiyur Rahman and Sanowar Hossain, both also from Murshidabad—were seriously injured. The incident occurred on Wednesday night in the Sambalpur district of Odisha.
According to sources, Jewel Rana, along with a few other youths, had gone to Sambalpur on the 20th of this month in search of work. They were employed as masons. On Wednesday evening, Jewel, Atiyur Rahman, and Sanowar Hossain were cooking inside a room, while five other workers were in an adjoining room. Suddenly, a group of miscreants allegedly attacked them. The three workers were reportedly surrounded and mercilessly beaten. After the victims collapsed on the ground in a bloodied condition, the attackers fled the spot. Police reached the scene after being informed and rushed the injured to a hospital, where doctors declared Jewel Rana dead. His body is scheduled to undergo a post-mortem examination on Thursday. The other two injured migrant workers remain hospitalised in critical condition. Sambalpur police have initiated an investigation into the incident.
Branded ‘Bangladeshis’ for Speaking Bengali: Identity Suspicion Turns Fatal
Another worker, Arik, said that Jewel had arrived in Sambalpur about five days ago for masonry work. “On Wednesday night, the attackers suddenly came and asked for our identity. We showed them all our valid documents. Despite that, they refused to believe us and branded us as Bangladeshis. Just on suspicion, they started beating us brutally,” he alleged.
Family members claimed that Jewel Rana was assaulted the most. After he collapsed, the attackers abandoned him and fled. All three were taken to the hospital in a critical state, where Jewel later succumbed to his injuries. Jewel’s mother, Najima Bibi, broke down after receiving the news. “My son had many dreams. Everything is over. They beat him to death. I want the killers to be hanged,” she said.
Following the incident, Imani Biswas, Trinamool Congress MLA from Suti, visited the victim’s home. He stated that six accused have been arrested in connection with the case and assured the family of all possible assistance. “This is a deeply tragic incident. Arrangements are being made to bring the body home after the post-mortem. Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, Abhishek Banerjee, and the entire Trinamool leadership will stand by the family in every possible way,” he added.
Meanwhile, Morful Sheikh, father of injured worker Sanowar Hossain, alleged that the attack took place solely because they spoke Bengali. He said, “My son went outside the state to earn a livelihood. He did nothing wrong. Then why was he lynched? I have been informed that he is critically injured and undergoing treatment.”
Reacting to the incident, West Bengal Minister of State for Power and Trinamool MLA from Raghunathganj, Akhruzzaman, strongly condemned the attack. “In double-engine government-ruled Odisha, Bengali Muslims are being persecuted. On Wednesday night, a migrant worker named Jewel Rana was beaten to death, while several others were seriously injured. The BJP is anti-Bengali, especially anti–Bengali Muslim. Muslims are being targeted. I urge everyone to think seriously so that no Bengali becomes a victim of harassment at the hands of the BJP,” the minister said.
