CWFI Condemns Brutal Lynching of Bengali Construction Worker in Odisha

Sambalpur, Odisha: The Construction Workers Federation of India (CWFI) has strongly condemned the brutal lynching of 20-year-old migrant worker Juel Sheikh from Suti, Murshidabad, in Sambalpur, Odisha. Sheikh, who had arrived in the state five days earlier to work as a mason, was killed on December 24, while his colleagues Majhar Khan and Nizamuddin Khan were critically injured.

Eyewitnesses and survivor statements indicate that the attack was xenophobic in nature. The victims were reportedly interrogated about their identity, forced to show Aadhaar cards, and labelled as 'Bangladeshi infiltrators' before being assaulted with iron rods and sharp weapons. CWFI dismissed claims that the incident was a mere monetary dispute and blamed inflammatory rhetoric in BJP-ruled states for fostering such violence.

Six arrests have been made, but the federation demanded a fast-track trial and the strictest punishment for the accused. CWFI has also called for compensation of RS 1 crore for Sheikh's family and RS 25 lakhs each for the injured workers. The federation urged authorities to protect Bengali-speaking labourers from vigilante harassment.

'The construction sector is the backbone of India’s infrastructure, built on the sweat of migrant labourers. Attacks based on language or religion are a direct assault on the Constitution of India,' CWFI said.