TMC Leader Abhishek Banerjee Visits Family of Murdered Migrant Worker in Purulia
Trinamool Congress national general secretary Abhishek Banerjee on Friday met with the grieving family of 30-year-old migrant worker Sukhen Mahato, who was found brutally murdered in Pune on February 10. The visit took place in Purulia, West Bengal, where Banerjee expressed solidarity with the kin and vowed to ensure justice in the case.
Banerjee Demands Swift Action from Maharashtra Police
Speaking to reporters after the meeting, Banerjee issued a strong statement directed at the Maharashtra Police. He urged them to ensure the culprits are punished promptly or, alternatively, "give the case to Bengal Police, who can solve it in 50 days." This remark highlights the TMC's confidence in its state police force and underscores the urgency the party attaches to the investigation.
Banerjee emphasized that while the Trinamool Congress does not politicize deaths, he sees a dangerous pattern emerging. "We do not politicise deaths. But we do see a dangerous pattern in people being repeatedly attacked in BJP-governed states for speaking Bengali," he stated. This comment references broader allegations of xenophobia and linguistic discrimination that have surfaced in recent incidents involving Bengali-speaking individuals outside West Bengal.
Coordination and Legal Support Promised
Following directives from Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, the Bengal administration will coordinate with authorities in Maharashtra and Koregaon Bhima to facilitate the investigation. Banerjee pointed out discrepancies in justice delivery, noting, "We have seen that in BJP-governed states, people get bail even after being accused of rape, murder and kidnapping."
Regarding the arrest of a suspect by Pune Police, identified as Amin Ali Sheikh, Banerjee assured that the TMC would ensure the family receives all necessary legal support. He revealed that per their information, more individuals might be involved in the crime. "All of them must be identified," he insisted.
Banerjee made a firm commitment to the family, promising that if required, a delegation including 3–4 TMC MLAs and some family members would be sent to Maharashtra. "If the accused are not arrested after Feb 25 and if the trial is not started in time, we will not hesitate to send our delegation as many times as required," he declared.
Job Promise and Family's Anguish
In a gesture of support, Banerjee promised a job to Sukhen's elder brother, Tulsiram, who also works in Pune. Tulsiram had returned home with his brother's body in an ambulance on Friday, expressing deep fear and reluctance to return to work. "I do not want to go there for work. Today it was my brother; tomorrow if it is me, who will look after the family?" he lamented.
Tulsiram strongly denied that his brother had any previous enmity with anyone, suggesting that the murder might not be a result of personal vendetta. "You cannot stay in your own village if you keep fighting; this (Pune) is a far-flung place," he said, adding uncertainty about whether xenophobia or a drunken brawl led to the tragedy.
Broader Context of Attacks on Bengalis
Banerjee contextualized Sukhen's death within a series of recent incidents. He mentioned harassment of youths from Raghunathpur in Purulia in Chhattisgarh, torture of at least 6–7 people in Odisha, and branding of an ST youth as a Bangladeshi in Odisha, along with reports of torture in Haryana. These examples were cited to reinforce the pattern of attacks on Bengalis in BJP-ruled states.
Political Reactions and Investigation Details
Purulia BJP MP Jyotirmoy Singh Mahato addressed the case without directly reiterating BJP IT cell head Amit Malviya's claim that the incident stemmed from "intoxicated aggression" rather than communal or linguistic conflict. Malviya maintained it was a "tragic but a localised clash, not a hate crime."
Jyotirmoy pointed to CCTV footage showing unusual behavior leading to the death and clarified that while the family alleged Bajrang Dal activists were behind the murder, there is no evidence linking arrested suspect Amin Ali Sheikh to the group. "I, too, want capital punishment for the accused," he stated, aligning with calls for severe punishment.
The investigation continues as authorities work to uncover the full circumstances behind Sukhen Mahato's murder, with political figures from both TMC and BJP weighing in on its implications and the broader issues of migrant safety and regional tensions.
