Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury Raises Alarm Over Safety of Bengali Migrant Workers in Odisha

Sambalpur: The issue of Bengali migrant workers safety came into sharp focus on Sunday as senior Congress leader Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury met migrant labourers from West Bengal in Odisha’s Sambalpur district and expressed serious concern over what he described as ‘parallel policing’ in some states. Chowdhury urged law enforcement agencies to immediately stop the practice of private individuals allegedly asking migrant workers to show identity documents.

Chowdhury, a five-time former Member of Parliament from the Baharampur Lok Sabha constituency in Murshidabad district of West Bengal, assured the workers that the Congress party stands firmly with them and that their concerns have been taken up at the highest level.

Bengali Migrant Workers Safety a National Concern, Says Chowdhury

Addressing reporters after meeting the workers, Chowdhury said he had already raised the issue with Narendra Modi. He warned that the trend of civilians questioning migrant workers and demanding Aadhaar cards was dangerous and unconstitutional.

“There is a parallel policing system in some states, where private persons are asking migrant workers to show their identity proof. This must be stopped. The police should ensure that no worker is harassed by goons on the suspicion of being a Bangladeshi infiltrator,” he said.

Lynching Incident in Sambalpur Sparks Outrage

Chowdhury expressed deep concern over the lynching of 30-year-old Juel Sheikh, a Bengali-speaking Muslim migrant worker from Murshidabad’s Jangipur, who was hacked to death in Sambalpur last month. The attackers allegedly demanded his Aadhaar card, suspecting him to be a Bangladeshi infiltrator—an allegation later rejected by local police.

Calling the incident alarming, the Congress leader said migrant workers should never be subjected to violence simply for seeking livelihood in another state.

Appeal to President, CM and Union Ministers

Chowdhury said he plans to bring the matter to the attention of Droupadi Murmu, Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi, Sambalpur MP and Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan.

“I will fight for the safety of Bengali migrant workers working in different states,” he asserted, adding that both Odisha and West Bengal share centuries-old cordial relations and deep economic interdependence.

Police Assure Zero Tolerance, Arrest Accused

During his one-day visit, Chowdhury met Northern Range Inspector General Himanshu Kumar Lal and Sambalpur Superintendent of Police Mukesh Kumar Bhamoo. Police officials said prompt action was taken in the lynching case, with the accused arrested within six hours.

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IG Lal stated that the police are following a zero-tolerance policy against such incidents and have intensified patrolling in vulnerable areas. An awareness campaign has also been launched to urge people not to take the law into their own hands.

During interactions with workers in Dhanipali under Ainthapali police station limits, Chowdhury reassured them of their safety in Odisha and appealed for calm. “Please do not consider all Bengali-speaking people as Bangladeshi,” he said, stressing that migrant workers should never be viewed with suspicion.