A young migrant worker from West Bengal, venturing out of his home state for the first time for employment, was brutally beaten to death in Odisha's Sambalpur district. The incident, which occurred on Tuesday, has sparked allegations of xenophobic violence from the victim's family, while police point to a financial disagreement as the root cause.
Family's Harrowing Account of the Attack
According to a formal complaint filed by his mother, Nazma Bibi, with the Suti police in Murshidabad, 20-year-old Juel Rana had travelled to Sambalpur for work on December 20. His dream of earning a livelihood outside Bengal turned into a nightmare on December 24. Nazma Bibi stated she received a distressing call around 8:30 PM informing her that her son and his colleagues had been attacked by a group of seven or eight local men near their living quarters in Odisha.
"They accused them of being Bengali-speaking Bangladeshis and threatened to beat them to death," the complaint detailed. The assailants allegedly used sticks, iron rods, and sharp weapons in the assault. Juel Rana died on the spot, while two other migrant labourers from Bengal sustained critical injuries and are currently undergoing medical treatment. Juel's father, Ziaul Haque, works as a mason in Kerala.
Police Version Points to Monetary Dispute
Contradicting the family's narrative, Odisha police have presented a different sequence of events. Inspector General of Police (IGP) Himanshu Lal asserted that the violence originated from a monetary dispute and explicitly stated there was "no communal or linguistic" angle to the case. Local police officials elaborated that the situation escalated when some local youths demanded bidis from the migrant workers.
Despite the differing accounts of the motive, police have confirmed swift action. "All six accused have been arrested and further investigation is under way," IGP Lal stated. The case has put a spotlight on the vulnerabilities faced by inter-state migrant workers in India.
Aftermath and Ongoing Investigation
The tragic death of Juel Rana has left his family in Suti, Murshidabad, devastated. It underscores the perils often associated with migration for low-skilled work within the country. The incident raises serious questions about the safety and security of migrant labourers, who frequently face suspicion and hostility in unfamiliar regions.
While the police investigation progresses based on the monetary dispute theory, the allegations made by the victim's family about ethnic and linguistic targeting cannot be ignored. The truth behind the mob's motive will be crucial in delivering justice for Juel Rana and ensuring the safety of other migrant workers in Sambalpur and beyond.
