Bhubaneswar: Trinamool Congress MP Mahua Moitra from Krishnanagar has claimed that 23 workers from her constituency are being detained in an interrogation centre in Odisha under the pretext of documentation.
In a video message, Moitra alleged that the workers are being held illegally and demanded their immediate release. According to her, a total of 444 Bengali-speaking workers from West Bengal are being held in Jharsuguda district, with 23 of them hailing from her constituency.
“This video is to bring to the urgent notice of the Chief Minister, the chief secretary, and the DGP of Odisha that 23 workers from my constituency in Mirzapur village under Panighata GP in Nadia district are currently being illegally detained in an interrogation centre by the Orient police station of Jharsuguda district,” she stated.
However, the Odisha Police have clarified that the workers are being detained for verification on suspicion of being Bangladeshi nationals or Rohingyas residing in India without documentation. The police have formed Special Task Forces (STFs) headed by Superintendents of Police to identify and facilitate the deportation of undocumented migrants.
Moitra disputed the claims, stating that the workers have valid documents such as Aadhaar cards and voter ID cards. She threatened to file habeas corpus petitions in court if the workers are not released immediately, citing their constitutional right to life, livelihood, and work anywhere in India.
The MP from Krishnanagar has already spoken to the Superintendent of Police in Jharsuguda, who has allegedly informed her that the workers are being detained due to a documentation drive. The situation is being closely watched, with Moitra demanding the immediate release of the workers.
