Bengal Worker Murdered in Pune; Mamata Banerjee Terms It Hate Crime, Police Suspect Dispute
In a tragic incident that has ignited political tensions, a migrant worker from West Bengal was found murdered in Pune, Maharashtra. West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has strongly condemned the killing, describing it as a hate crime driven by linguistic prejudice. However, the Pune Rural police have indicated that their initial investigation points to a previous dispute as the likely motive, adding a layer of complexity to the case.
Details of the Incident and Police Response
The victim, identified as Sukhen Dhiren Mahato, aged 24, hailed from Tumrasole village in Purulia District, West Bengal. His body was discovered on the morning of February 10 on open land behind Hotel Aapla Ghar in Koregaon Bhima, located in the Shirur taluka of Pune district. Upon receiving information, a police team swiftly arrived at the scene and transported the body to a hospital for a postmortem examination. The examination revealed that Sukhen succumbed to a severe head injury, leading to the registration of a murder case at the Shikrapur Police Station.
Ramesh Chopde, Additional Superintendent of Police for Pune Rural, stated, "We suspect he was beaten up as a result of a dispute with local people and was fatally injured. We have registered a murder case, identified two suspects, and a search is underway for them." The police are actively reviewing CCTV footage from the area and surrounding locations to gather evidence and track down the assailants.
Mamata Banerjee's Strong Reaction and Allegations
Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee expressed profound outrage over the murder, taking to social media platform X to voice her concerns. In a post, she said, "I am shaken, enraged, and sickened beyond words by the barbaric murder of Sukhen Mahato, a 24-year-old migrant worker from Bandwan in Purulia, the sole earning member of his family, in Pune, Maharashtra. This is nothing short of a hate crime. A young man was hunted, tortured, and murdered for his language, his identity, his roots."
She further emphasized that this incident reflects a climate of xenophobia and demanded immediate arrests and exemplary punishment for the perpetrators. Banerjee extended her condolences to Sukhen's family, assuring them of Bengal's support in seeking justice.
Police Investigation and Family Background
According to the First Information Report (FIR) lodged by Sukhen's brother, Tulsiram Dhiren Mahato, under section 103(1) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (murder), Sukhen had been living in Koregaon Bhima with his two brothers for several years. All three brothers were employed at JAL Precision Products Limited in Sanaswadi. Mahesh Dongare, Sub-Inspector at the Shikrapur police station and the investigating officer, noted that the murder occurred on the intervening night of February 9 and February 10.
Dongare added, "A probe so far has revealed that he was murdered during that night. We have identified the suspects and a search is on for them." When questioned about the hate crime allegation, he clarified that this aspect is yet to be confirmed, as the investigation is still ongoing. The police have handed over Sukhen's body to his brothers, who have since returned to their village for the last rites.
Broader Implications and Ongoing Developments
This case has highlighted issues related to migrant worker safety and inter-state tensions, with political leaders weighing in on the matter. While the police focus on the dispute angle, Banerjee's claims have sparked a debate on hate crimes and discrimination based on language and origin. The search for the two suspects continues, and authorities are working to piece together the events leading to Sukhen's death.
As the investigation progresses, further updates are expected from the Pune Rural police. The incident underscores the need for thorough probes into such violent acts to ensure justice and maintain social harmony.
