Labourer Lynched by Gang in Odisha Over Migration Suspicions

A tragic incident unfolded on December 24, 2023, when a 30-year-old construction labourer, Jewel Sheikh, was beaten to death in a public lynching in Sambalpur, located in the western Indian state of Odisha. The attack, which has sent shockwaves through the local migrant community, was reportedly initiated by a gang that mistook Sheikh and his colleagues for migrants from Bangladesh.

Sheikh, along with his co-workers, was enjoying tea at a local stall when a group of men approached them, initially requesting a cigarette. The situation escalated when the gang demanded to see their Indian identification cards. According to Paltu Sheikh, one of the injured workers, the gang began their assault after they were shown their Aadhaar cards. “A group of people asked for a bidi (hand-rolled cigarette) from Jewel. Then they started asking for Aadhaar cards and wanted to know where we were from,” he recounted. “Suddenly, the group, armed with bamboo sticks, started beating us. Jewel was hit on the head. Some others were also injured.”

The attack resulted in Jewel being rushed to a nearby hospital, where he was pronounced dead on arrival. His friends are currently awaiting the post-mortem examination before returning his body to Chakbahadurpur village in West Bengal for final rites. Jewel’s mother expressed her disbelief at the violent circumstances of her son’s death, stating that he had been working as a stone mason for three months to support their impoverished family. His uncle, Riaqul Haque, lamented, “We never imagined our boy would be beaten to death on suspicion of being Bangladeshi. We are poor people. Jewel went there for daily wages of Rs 600.”

Local police officials have denied that the attack was racially motivated, asserting that it stemmed from a dispute over the demand for a bidi. Additional Superintendent of Police Srimanta Barik confirmed that six individuals have been arrested in connection with the incident. “A group suddenly attacked the Bengali migrant workers after they refused a bidi. We have arrested six people and are identifying whether more were involved,” Barik stated.

The brutal nature of this incident has raised alarms about the safety of migrant workers in India, particularly those from Bangladesh. As communities process the shock of this event, it highlights the ongoing challenges faced by marginalized groups in securing their safety and dignity. The investigation continues, with authorities under pressure to ensure justice for Jewel Sheikh and his grieving family.