A migrant worker from West Bengal was lynched in Odisha's Sambalpur district amid initial suspicions of his Bangladeshi identity. Police have arrested all six accused men, asserting that the killing was not linked to the victim's identity or nationality but stemmed from a fight over bidi. The incident highlights tensions faced by migrant workers in the region.
In Odisha's Sambalpur district, a migrant worker from West Bengal named Juel Sheikh was lynched on December 26, 2025. Local residents suspected him of being Bangladeshi, but police clarified that the killing was unrelated to his identity or nationality.
According to authorities, the fatal altercation arose from a dispute over bidi, a type of hand-rolled cigarette. All six accused men have been arrested. The incident underscores the vulnerabilities of migrant workers, where identity suspicions can escalate into violence.
The Trinamool Congress (TMC) has criticized the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) over the event, though police have classified it as a criminal dispute rather than a hate crime. Investigations continue, with no further details on motives released.
