Kolkata, 16 January (H.S.):

The death of a migrant worker from Beldanga in West Bengal’s Murshidabad district under suspicious circumstances in Jharkhand has triggered widespread political and social unrest in the state. The deceased has been identified as Alauddin Sheikh, who had gone to Jharkhand in search of livelihood.

Family members and local residents have alleged that Alauddin was brutally murdered. According to them, he was first beaten to death and his body was later hung to make the incident appear as a case of suicide. Police, however, stated that the body was found hanging inside a rented room. Alauddin was reportedly working as a hawker in Jharkhand.

As news of the death spread, tension gripped Beldanga and adjoining areas. Protests continued for nearly five and a half hours, during which movement of trains, buses and trucks was disrupted. In view of the situation, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee appealed for calm and assured that the state government stands firmly with the bereaved family. She described the incident as unfortunate and said the guilty would not be spared.

In the wake of the incident, Trinamool Congress National General Secretary and MP Abhishek Banerjee spoke over the phone with Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren, urging swift identification and strict action against those involved in the migrant worker’s death. According to TMC sources, Hemant Soren assured that the Jharkhand Police are taking the matter seriously and have already initiated an investigation. The accused will be arrested at the earliest, he said.

Meanwhile, former Baharampur MP and senior Congress leader Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury visited the victim’s family to express solidarity. He stated that he would also take up the issue with the Jharkhand government and demand immediate identification and legal punishment of those responsible.

Notably, citing the migrant worker’s death, a large number of people from the Muslim community took to the streets in Murshidabad after Friday prayers, blocking the National Highway and resorting to arson. The highway remained blocked for nearly six hours, leading to a complete disruption of connectivity between North and South Bengal.

Hindusthan Samachar / Satya Prakash Singh