Act against harassment of Bengali migrants: Bengal chief secretary to Odisha
Stating that there are serious concerns over 'the continuing harassment faced by people from West Bengal who have migrated to various parts of Odisha for livelihood', Pant wrote: 'It is deeply distressing to learn that many of them are being targeted solely because they speak Bengali — their mother tongue, and are being unjustly labeled as Bangladeshi infiltrators. This sweeping generalisation is not only unfair and discriminatory, but also deeply hurtful to citizens.' He stated that the West Bengal government has received 'disturbing reports of such individuals being detained without due legal process in regions around Paradip and across coastal districts such as Jagatsinghpur, Kendrapara, Bhadrak, Malkangiri, Balasore and Cuttack'.
'What is even more concerning is that, even when these persons produce valid identity documents – including Aadhaar cards, ration cards, voter IDs, electricity bills, and PDS documents — their claims are being dismissed… In many instances, they are being asked to produce ancestral land records dating back several generations, an unreasonable and unjustifiable demand for migrant workers,' he added.
He wrote that, despite verification reports from competent authorities in West Bengal confirming the identity and citizenship of the individuals, no positive action or relief has been taken.
'This situation demands immediate and sensitive intervention. I appeal to you to take a humanitarian view of the matter and ensure that these individuals, who are Indian citizens, are not subjected to arbitrary detention or harassment based on linguistic or regional identity. We stand ready to extend all necessary cooperation to facilitate verification and resolution, and to assist in restoring the dignity and security of our fellow citizens,' he added.
In recent weeks, there have been reports of West Bengal residents being detained in Gujarat, Maharashtra, Delhi, and Madhya Pradesh — all BJP-ruled states. Two weeks ago, seven residents of West Bengal were detained by Mumbai police and pushed into Bangladesh by the BSF. They were later brought back from Bangladesh after the West Bengal government's intervention. In Delhi, eight members of the families of migrant labourers, hailing from Cooch Behar district, were detained on suspicion of being illegal Bangladesh nationals.
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