Kolkata, 1. September (H.S.): Three migrant workers from West Bengal’s Murshidabad district, who were allegedly detained by Assam Police on suspicion of being Bangladeshi nationals, have been released following the intervention of the state government. The claim was made on Monday by Trinamool Congress Rajya Sabha MP and Chairperson of the State Migrant Workers’ Welfare Board, Samirul Islam.

Islam stated that the workers were released late on Sunday night. “Assam Police detained them, mistaking them for Bangladeshis, and sent them to a detention camp. However, following our immediate intervention, they were freed. Even the ₹1.5 lakh that was illegally extorted from them was returned,” he alleged.

According to details, two of the workers hail from Shakartipur and one from Beldanga in Murshidabad. They had arrived in Nagaon on August 22 and were selling goods from a pushcart. Police personnel reportedly detained them in the Haibargaon area after overhearing them conversing in Bengali.

The TMC MP alleged that migrant workers from Bengal are routinely harassed in BJP-ruled states. “They are detained without cause, tortured, and extorted. Our government is taking strict action in every such case,” Islam said.

He further claimed that a recent incident in Maharashtra led to the custodial death of a migrant worker from Habra in North 24 Parganas. Islam alleged that Golam Mondal died due to “inhuman torture” by police during illegal detention.

Hindusthan Samachar / Satya Prakash Singh