Bhubaneswar/Kolkata, July 9, 2025 — A political row has erupted between West Bengal’s ruling Trinamool Congress (TMC) and the Odisha government over the alleged detention of hundreds of Bengali-speaking migrant workers in Jharsuguda district. TMC leaders claim the workers were unlawfully held despite possessing valid identity documents, while Odisha authorities maintain the detentions are part of a lawful verification process targeting undocumented immigrants.
TMC MP Mahua Moitra and Rajya Sabha MP Samirul Islam, who also chairs the Migrant Workers’ Welfare Board, have accused the BJP-led Odisha government of “targeted harassment” against Bengali-speaking labourers. Moitra stated that 23 workers from her Krishnanagar constituency’s Mirzapur village are among 444 individuals detained at an interrogation centre under Orient Police Station in Jharsuguda. She asserted that the detainees possess Aadhaar cards, voter IDs, and other valid documents, and demanded their immediate release.
“This never happened during the 24-year rule of Naveen Patnaik. Now, under BJP governance, it’s a daily occurrence,” Moitra said in a video message, warning that tourism from Bengal to Odisha could be impacted if the issue persists.
Islam alleged that over 200 migrant workers from districts including Murshidabad, Malda, Birbhum, Nadia, Purba Bardhaman, and South 24 Parganas have been detained on suspicion of being Bangladeshi nationals. He described the detentions as part of a “deliberate pattern of persecution” based on language and origin.
In response, Odisha Police clarified that the individuals under scrutiny lack verifiable documentation to establish Indian citizenship, necessitating a Joint Investigation Team (JIT)-led verification process. Northern Range IG Himansu Kumar Lal emphasized that the operation is not targeting any community but is aimed at safeguarding national security. He assured that detainees are being held in designated facilities with access to food, water, hygiene, and medical care.
Odisha officials further stated that persons with valid documents are being released or allowed to return to their places of stay. They urged the public to avoid speculation and trust the authorities to conduct the process transparently and fairly.
West Bengal Chief Secretary Manoj Pant has written to his Odisha counterpart, requesting intervention and the release of the detained workers. TMC leaders have indicated plans to file habeas corpus petitions if the matter is not resolved promptly.
The incident has intensified inter-state tensions and raised broader concerns about the treatment of migrant workers and the verification protocols employed by state governments.
