A migrant worker from West Bengal was allegedly beaten to death by unidentified assailants in Odisha’s Sambalpur district. Two other workers sustained serious injuries in the attack, which took place late on Wednesday night under the jurisdiction of Ainthapali police station.
The deceased has been identified as 21-year-old Juel Sheikh. Juel was a resident of Chak Bahadurpur village under Suti Police Station in Murshidabad district, West Bengal. He had travelled to Sambalpur just five days ago in search of work and was employed as a mason at an under-construction building in the Danipali area. He had been staying in a rented room along with seven other migrant workers from Suti.
According to police, the incident occurred around 11:30 pm on Wednesday night when Juel, Atiur Rahman (also identified as Akur Rahman) and Sanowar Hossain (Sonwar Hussain) had stepped out briefly near a local shop to buy tobacco products. During this time, they allegedly came into contact with a group of youths, including some acquaintances. An argument reportedly broke out over smoking materials, during which the assailants allegedly demanded identity documents, including Aadhaar cards. The situation soon escalated, and the three migrant workers were brutally assaulted.
“The miscreants beat the workers severely and fled the scene after the victims collapsed, bleeding profusely. Sk. Juel died on spot,” said Ainthapali Police Station Inspector-in-Charge (IIC) Pradyumna Swain.
Hearing the victims’ cries, other migrant workers rushed to their aid and shifted them to a hospital in Sambalpur. Jewel Sheikh succumbed to his injuries while undergoing treatment. The other two injured workers remain hospitalised and are reportedly in critical condition.
Police reached the spot soon after receiving information, recovered the body, and initiated legal proceedings. The deceased’s body has been kept at the Sambalpur District Headquarters Hospital (DHH) morgue, and his family has been informed. A post-mortem examination is scheduled to be conducted before the body is handed over to the family.
Following the incident, panic has gripped the families of the remaining migrant workers still staying in Sambalpur, who are reportedly living in fear. News of the killing cast a pall of gloom over Juel Sheikh’s native village in Murshidabad, where family members broke down upon receiving the information.
“Juel was my only son (beside two daughters). He had dreams. My son was beaten brutally on the head. He died after he was taken to the hospital,” Juel mother said adding that she seeks stringent punishment for those behind the brutal killing. “I will reach out to CM Mamata Banerjee and seek her help. I am sure she will help me bring the perpetrators to justice,” she added.
Suti MLA Imani Biswas and Suti Police Station Officer-in-Charge Supriyo Ranjan Majhi visited the bereaved family to offer condolences. Meanwhile, police said the assailants fled immediately after the attack. A case has been registered at Ainthapali Police Station against unknown persons, and an investigation is underway. “Efforts are on to identify and apprehend the accused. Raids are being conducted at multiple locations to trace all those involved,” IIC Swain said.
Meanwhile, BJP has alleged that the deceased labourer and the two injured in the incident were from Bangladesh. Speaking on the same, Additional Superintendent of Police (ASP) Srimanta Barik of Sambalpur district clarified that the altercation broke “over personal matters” and at least 6 people have been arrested in the alleged killing and assault of the migrant labourers.
