Murshidabad Protest Erupts After Migrant Worker’s Death in Jharkhand

Beldanga, Murshidabad — Angry residents in Beldanga, Murshidabad district, blocked National Highway-12 and railway tracks on Friday after the body of a local migrant worker was brought home from Jharkhand, triggering hours of unrest and major transport disruption.

The protest began early in the morning when villagers learned that 36-year-old Alauddin Sheikh, a hawker from Sujapur Kumarpur who worked in Jharkhand, had died and his body was found hanging in a rented room. Family members rejected the official report of suicide and alleged he was beaten to death before being hanged.

Outraged locals gathered on the road and railway line at Maheshpur, bringing rail services on the Sealdah–Lalgola section to a halt by placing bamboo poles and snapping a key transport link between North and South Bengal for more than five hours.

Protesters burned tyres on NH-12, blocked vehicular movement and demanded immediate arrests, strict punishment for those responsible, and assurances for the safety of Murshidabad migrant workers in other states. Some demonstrators claimed that workers from Bengal were being targeted and branded as foreigners for speaking Bengali.

Tensions spiked as the crowd clashed with police. At least 12 people were injured, including journalists covering the protests, with reports of stone-pelting and damage to police vehicles.

Senior police officers and the District Magistrate engaged in talks with the protesters, gradually convincing them to lift the blockade late in the afternoon. Partial rail and road services began to resume as negotiations continued.

Political leaders reacted sharply. Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee urged calm, stating people’s anger was understandable but cautioning against attacks on journalists. Opposition figures criticised the state government for failing to maintain order and protect migrant workers.

As of Friday evening, authorities said a formal investigation into Sheikh’s death was underway, and discussions with family members included promises of compensation and justice.