Protests broke out in Beldanga, West Bengal’s Murshidabad district, following an alleged assault on a migrant worker in Jharkhand. This incident led to hundreds of people blocking intersections and vandalizing public property, including disrupting train services. Authorities are taking measures to control the situation, with additional forces being deployed from Kolkata.
Train services between Krishnanagar and Lalgola have been temporarily halted due to the unrest. The Eastern Railway General Manager mentioned the dispatch of extra forces like RPF and RPSF to Beldanga to restore order. In response to escalating tensions, a significant police presence has been established in the area.
The unrest coincided with the launch of the Vande Bharat Sleeper train by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in the neighboring Malda district. Prior to this, a separate protest had occurred in Beldanga over the alleged killing of another migrant worker from West Bengal in Jharkhand. The demonstrators demanded swift justice for the victim and clashed with authorities, resulting in injuries and property damage.
The deceased migrant worker was identified as Alauddin Sheikh, a resident of Sujarpur-Kamarpur village panchayat in Murshidabad district. His family disputed the initial reports of suicide by Jharkhand Police, claiming he was lynched. The situation has drawn political attention, with the BJP citing it as evidence of lawlessness in West Bengal under the ruling Trinamool Congress.
