Bengali-Speaking Workers Detained in Odisha Crackdown
In a recent development that has raised concerns about migrant worker rights, nine Bengali-speaking migrant workers have been detained by police in Odisha's Bhadrak district. The detention is part of a broader crackdown targeting alleged illegal immigrants from Bangladesh and Rohingya communities.
According to police sources, all nine workers possess valid identification documents including voter identity cards and Aadhaar cards showing addresses from Murshidabad district in West Bengal. The individuals had been living in rented accommodation in the area for several months and were working as traveling street vendors before their detention.
Police Verification Process Underway
Bhadrak Superintendent of Police Manoj Kumar Rout provided details about the ongoing verification process. "We brought them for verification on Wednesday evening," Rout stated. "They are in a proper shelter with all basic facilities and not in a police station."
Despite the workers having legitimate Indian identification documents, authorities have sought their call detail records to determine if they have been in contact with individuals from Bangladesh. The police official indicated that this verification process typically takes two to three days to complete.
The action follows directives from both the Union Ministry of Home Affairs and the BJP government in Odisha, which has instructed police to take strict measures against suspected illegal immigrants across various districts.
Broader Security Operation in Coastal Districts
Police sources revealed that the Odisha police special task force has been collaborating with local police and other agencies to gather intelligence about suspected Bangladeshi nationals, particularly in coastal districts including Kendrapada, Jagatsinghpur, Bhadrak, Jajpur, and Balasore.
While Bhadrak has hosted a significant Bengali-speaking population for decades, police are specifically focusing verification efforts on more recent settlers. Individuals with Aadhaar registration from border districts like Murshidabad and Malda, which share boundaries with Bangladesh, are undergoing particularly thorough scrutiny.
This incident follows recent police action in Jagatsinghpur district where four people involved in an alleged organized racket were arrested for harboring illegal immigrants from Bangladesh. The administration subsequently demolished structures owned by the accused, claiming they were illegally constructed on government land.
Political Implications and Previous Controversies
According to official data presented in the State Assembly in March, Odisha hosts approximately 3,740 undocumented migrants from Bangladesh, though officials suspect the actual number might be higher.
The detention of Bengali-speaking migrant workers has previously sparked political tensions. West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee's Trinamool Congress party has repeatedly objected to what it describes as the "harassment" of Bengali-speaking migrants from their state.
A police officer involved in the operation explained the standard procedure: "They are being brought for verification in small groups and allowed to go if nothing suspicious is found after verification." This suggests that the current detentions might be part of routine verification rather than criminal proceedings.
The situation highlights the ongoing challenges in balancing national security concerns with the protection of legitimate migrant workers' rights across Indian states.
