A 19-year-old Muslim construction worker from West Bengal, Jewel Rana, was beaten to death in Odisha’s Sambalpur district on Wednesday night after being accused of being Bangladeshi. Two of his coworkers were also assaulted and hospitalized. Police have arrested six suspects and launched an investigation into the incident, which occurred in the Danipali area under Ainthapalli police station.
Witnesses said the attackers demanded identification before assaulting the workers, forcing them to chant religious slogans. Migrant worker organizations and human rights advocates have linked the killing to a broader pattern of mob violence targeting Bengali-speaking Muslims, allegedly fueled by recent government directives to identify and deport undocumented Bangladeshis and Rohingyas.
The case has reignited debate over communal tensions and migrant safety in India. Activists have urged both state and central authorities to address the growing trend of vigilante attacks, warning that political rhetoric and administrative inaction are emboldening extremist groups. The Odisha government has promised a thorough investigation.