Migrant Workers Detained in Odisha: HC Sees Petitions Over Alleged Human Rights Violations

Strategic Insights -

Tensions are escalating over the detention of migrant workers from Bengal in Odisha, with the Calcutta HC receiving two habeas corpus petitions. The petitions were filed by the families of two workers, Rakhibul Islam Mondal and Sainur Islam, who were detained by Odisha police during an identity verification drive. The families claim that the workers were held beyond 24 hours without being produced before a court, violating the Supreme Court's guidelines and their fundamental rights. The cases have sparked outrage, with Trinamool MP Samirul Islam calling the detentions "barbaric torture and atrocity" and a "sheer violation of the Constitution".

Key Takeaways:

  • Two habeas corpus petitions were filed in the Calcutta HC over the detention of migrant workers from Bengal by Odisha Police.
  • The petitions were filed by the families of Rakhibul Islam Mondal and Sainur Islam, who were detained during an identity verification drive on June 25 and June 30, respectively.
  • The families claim that the workers were held beyond 24 hours without being produced before a court, violating the Supreme Court's guidelines and their fundamental rights.
  • The cases have sparked outrage, with Trinamool MP Samirul Islam calling the detentions "barbaric torture and atrocity" and a "sheer violation of the Constitution".
  • The Bengal chief secretary, Manoj Pant, has written to his Odisha counterpart, Manoj Ahuja, seeking the urgent release of the detained workers and to stop their harassment.
  • The detainees were allegedly targeted because they spoke Bengali, with one of the petitions claiming that they were suspected of being Bangladeshi.
  • The cases have highlighted concerns over the treatment of migrant workers in Odisha, with allegations of human rights abuse and arbitrary detention.

Statistics:

  • Over 50 migrant workers from Bengal were detained by Odisha police during the identity verification drive.
  • The detainees were held for over 24 hours without being produced before a court, violating the Supreme Court's guidelines.
  • At least two families have filed habeas corpus petitions with the Calcutta HC to secure the release of their detained loved ones.
  • The detainees were allegedly targeted because they spoke Bengali, with one of the petitions claiming that they were suspected of being Bangladeshi.

Sources:

  • Times of India, Kolkata
  • Bengal chief secretary Manoj Pant
  • Odisha chief secretary Manoj Ahuja
  • Trinamool MP Samirul Islam