Crowd havoc in Odisha: Eight Bengal workers attacked, beaten as 'Bangladeshi Chor'

National News: The cruelty to migrant laborers in the Mahadevanagar area near Bhubaneswar in Odisha has embarrassed humanity. Eight laborers who came in search of employment from the Murshidabad district of West Bengal were brutally attacked by local people for being 'Bangladeshi cattle thieves.' The mob beat them up with sticks and bottles, which seriously injured the laborers. This incident not only raises questions on the law and order of the state but is also proof of intolerance spreading in the society.

Silent Attack in the Shadows

The aggrieved laborer Alim (36) said that at around 11 pm, when all the people were sleeping in their temporary camp, 15–20 people came there. They were screaming, "Where are the Bangladeshi?" After this, the workers broke down. The attackers scrutinized their pockets and snatched identity cards, mobile phones, and money. Alim somehow saved his life by running towards the forest. He reached the hospital with the help of an auto driver in a blood-soaked condition.

Seven laborers missing 

Alim has returned to his village, Murshidabad, after treatment, but seven of his companions are still reported missing. There is a lot of concern between family and villagers. So far there is no news of any concrete action from the administration, while several days have passed since the incident.

Question on the role of police

The most serious questions are arising about the role of the police. Eyewitnesses say that the police was present at the time of the incident, but he did not make any attempt to stop the crowd. Due to this, the trust of the migrant laborers seems to be completely broken by the security system.

Constant incidents are being repeated

This is not the first time Bengali laborers in Odisha have been targeted as 'Bangladeshi.' Several times in the last months, migrant laborers have been detained or made a victim of a crowd. Recently, more than 200 laborers were raised on suspicion, after which there was also fierce political fighting.

Question on humanity

This attack is not on the identity of a person but on the whole of humanity. Overseas laborers wander the state-state only to earn bread. Attacking them on the basis of language and regional identity is a disgusting face of the mentality dividing the society.

This incident in Odisha is a warning that if both the administration and the society do not show responsibility, then the lives of migrant laborers will be constantly in danger. Now is the time that the government should not only take strict action against the culprits but also ensure that the identity of anyone cannot raise questions on its safety.