A shocking incident of mob violence against a migrant worker from West Bengal has come to light from Odisha, raising serious concerns about the safety of Bengali-speaking laborers outside their home state. A 35-year-old street vendor was brutally assaulted after being falsely branded an illegal immigrant from Bangladesh.
Details of the Brutal Assault
The victim, identified as Arshad Mallik, a resident of West Midnapore in Bengal, was attacked near Charampa station in Bhadrak, Odisha. According to police reports, the incident occurred on December 26, around 8 am. Mallik was on his way to Bhadrak with goods loaded on his bicycle when he was intercepted by a mob.
The assailants beat him severely, tied him up, and subjected him to verbal abuse. Throughout the ordeal, they accused him of being an illegal Bangladeshi immigrant. Mallik, who has lived and worked in Odisha for approximately five years and even rents a house in Kendrapara district, tried in vain to convince the mob of his Indian identity.
"They were saying, 'Why are you attacking Hindus in Bangladesh?' I couldn't convince them that I am from Bengal," Mallik recounted after returning to his home on Saturday.
Online Video Fuels Widespread Fear
A video recording of the violent assault quickly spread across social media platforms. This graphic visual has renewed deep-seated fears among thousands of Bengali-speaking workers who migrate to other Indian states for livelihood. The incident highlights the precarious situation of migrants who often face suspicion and hostility based on language and origin.
Police confirmed the incident on Sunday and are investigating the matter. The attack underscores a growing trend where individuals are targeted based on unverified allegations about their nationality, leading to vigilante justice.
Broader Implications for Migrant Communities
This attack is not an isolated event but part of a disturbing pattern that affects inter-state migrant workers in India. Such episodes create an atmosphere of intimidation and insecurity, impacting the economic mobility of workers from states like West Bengal.
The key facts of the case are:
- Victim: Arshad Mallik, 35, a street vendor from West Midnapore, Bengal.
- Location of Attack: Near Charampa station, Bhadrak, Odisha.
- Date & Time: December 26, around 8:00 AM.
- Accusation: Falsely branded an illegal Bangladeshi immigrant.
- Duration in Odisha: Had lived and worked there for about five years.
The incident calls for urgent attention from authorities in both Odisha and West Bengal to ensure the protection of migrant workers' rights and to prevent such xenophobic violence. Community sensitization and strict legal action against perpetrators are crucial to prevent the recurrence of such brutal attacks.
