Protests erupt in Murshidabad after Muslim worker found dead under suspicious circumstances in Jharkhand
Kolkata: Widespread protests erupted in West Bengal’s Murshidabad district after a Muslim migrant worker, labeled a Bangladeshi, was found dead under mysterious circumstances in his rented room in neighbouring Jharkhand state. The incident triggered allegations of targeted assault, prompting road and rail blockades as locals demanded justice.
According to Kashmir Media Service, the victim, identified as Alauddin Sheikh (30), hailed from Sujapur under Kumarpur gram panchayat in Beldanga of Murshidabad. He had moved to Jharkhand five years ago seeking work and was earning a living as a hawker. On Thursday, his body was found hanging from his rented accommodation.
While Jharkhand police initially suggested suicide, Alauddin’s family said he was murdered. His mother said, “Miscreants beat him and strangled him to death. They hung his body later to make it look like suicide.” Family members further said Alauddin had been harassed repeatedly for being Bengali. They said that he was branded “Bangladeshi” and targeted by locals.
News of his death sparked massive protests in Beldanga on Friday. Demonstrators blocked the Dalhousie–Bakkhali Highway for hours, burning tyres and halting the movement of vehicles. Simultaneously, another group of protesters blocked train services at Beldanga railway station, placing bamboo poles on the tracks while demanding action against the killers.
Protesters called for arrests and stricter punishment, highlighting a growing pattern of attacks on Muslim migrant workers by right-wing groups. They said that many migrant workers have been labeled as “Bangladeshis”, forced them to chant “Jai Shree Ram” and assaulted, sometimes fatally, particularly in states governed by the BJP.
Murshidabad Superintendent of Police Kumar Sunny Raj visited Beldanga to defuse tensions. “We have begun an investigation and will arrest those responsible,” he assured protesters.
The incident drew widespread attention on social media and prompted political reactions. Ex-Berhampore MP Adhir Ranjan Chaudhary visited the victim’s house and said that he would meet the higher authorities to ensure justice. He also criticised the West Bengal government for failing to intervene despite the rising violence towards Bengali- speaking migrant workers. Trinamool Congress also condemned the incident and demanded action.
