Bengal Police — In a development that raises serious questions about the treatment of migrant laborers and the state of inter-state coordination, West Bengal Police have launched a massive verification drive after receiving reports of over 750 workers detained or stopped in various Indian states on suspicion of illegal activity or document irregularities.
According to sources in the State Home Department, the workers—most of them traveling for construction, hospitality, and factory work—were detained over the past two months in states including Odisha, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Gujarat, and Tamil Nadu.
Officials say many of these individuals lacked proper identification or employer-issued documentation, while others were victims of mistrust or profiling due to language barriers and movement patterns.
Background: The Spike in Detentions
Following a series of anti-trafficking raids and security alerts post-election season in several Indian states, police began checking transport hubs, labour camps, and unregistered hostels. As a result:
- Groups of Bengali-speaking men were rounded up in areas like Balasore (Odisha), Surat (Gujarat), and Chennai suburbs, often during routine checks.
- Several were unable to produce valid Aadhaar cards, work contracts, or employer verification, leading to suspicion.
- Some detentions were based on local complaints or misinformation, suggesting they were “unknown outsiders.”
By July, the total number of detainees with West Bengal origins touched 750, prompting urgent diplomatic coordination between Bengal’s state government and police counterparts in other states.
Bengal Police’s Rapid Response
Acting on directives from Kolkata’s Nabanna Secretariat, West Bengal Police deployed a special verification task force led by the CID (Criminal Investigation Department) and State Intelligence Unit.
This team has been tasked with:
- Verifying detainees’ identities through family contact and local records.
- Liaising with jail authorities, shelter homes, and NGOs across five states.
- Creating a centralized migrant register to streamline future checks.
“We are not taking chances. These are our people, and we need to bring them home safely or confirm their employment status with legal clarity,” said DGP Rajeev Kumar.
Bengal Police: Where Are the Detainees?
Here’s a state-wise breakdown of the detained workers:
| State | Number of Detainees | Main Districts |
|---|---|---|
| Odisha | 180 | Balasore, Mayurbhanj, Berhampur |
| Gujarat | 145 | Surat, Vapi, Ahmedabad |
| Karnataka | 120 | Bengaluru outskirts, Mysore, Hubli |
| Maharashtra | 160 | Thane, Navi Mumbai, Pune |
| Tamil Nadu | 145 | Chennai, Tiruppur, Coimbatore |
Most workers were aged between 20–45 and engaged in unskilled or semi-skilled labor.
Problems in the Verification Process
The verification drive, though essential, is fraught with challenges:
- Missing documents: Many migrant workers left home in a hurry and carried no papers.
- Language issues: Most of the workers only speak Bengali or Santhali, creating translation gaps.
- No formal job contracts: Workers were hired informally by agents and do not appear in employment rosters.
- Fear of authority: Many are too scared to cooperate, believing they may be falsely implicated.
One officer involved in the Bengaluru team said:
“Many are confused or misinformed. They think they are in jail permanently. Some don’t even remember phone numbers of their families.”
Connecting with Families
West Bengal Police have collaborated with District Magistrates in Birbhum, Murshidabad, Malda, North 24 Parganas, and Purulia to trace family members. Public announcements have also been made through:
- Local radio
- Village panchayats
- Social media posts in Bengali
In some cases, mothers, siblings, or spouses are being brought in for in-person ID confirmation in host states.
Human Rights Concerns
Activists are raising alarm about the conditions of detention and the lack of legal assistance.
“This is arbitrary profiling and detention. Just because someone looks poor and speaks a different language doesn’t mean they are criminals,” said Paromita Roy, a rights lawyer from Kolkata.
She added that in many states, workers were kept in overcrowded shelters, denied phone access, and not produced before magistrates within 24 hours, violating Article 22 of the Constitution and Criminal Procedure Code (CrPC) norms.
The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has asked the Ministry of Labour and Employment to submit a report on inter-state migrant detention practices.
State Government’s Stand
Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, currently visiting the flood-affected districts of South Bengal, commented on the situation:
“Our people are being treated unfairly in other states. I have instructed the Chief Secretary and the DGP to ensure every single migrant worker is verified and safely brought home if innocent.”
A dedicated control room has been set up in Kolkata’s Lalbazar HQ, with a WhatsApp helpline (+91-XXXXXXXXXX) for families of missing or detained workers.
Impact on Migration and Local Economy
The panic surrounding detentions has led to:
- Suspension of new labor movement from Bengal to Gujarat and Tamil Nadu
- Reluctance among agents and sub-contractors to recruit fresh workers
- Economic pressure in rural Bengal, especially in areas where migration is the primary income source
Long-Term Measures Under Discussion
To prevent such crises in the future, the Bengal government is considering:
- A State Migrant Workers Database, tied to Aadhaar
- Issuance of digitally verifiable employment letters via a state labor portal
- MoUs with labor departments of destination states
- Legal literacy workshops in high-migration blocks
The Labour Minister is set to meet central officials and stakeholders from Gujarat, Maharashtra, and Odisha next week.
Case Study: Balasore Round-Up
In Balasore, Odisha, 80 workers from Malda and Murshidabad were detained while boarding trucks to a nearby construction site. Locals alerted police, assuming they were illegal Bangladeshis.
However, police later found they were legally residing migrants, but without sufficient proof. A 27-year-old detainee, Milon Shaikh, described his ordeal:
“We were treated like criminals. We had no food for 36 hours and were asked if we had snuck in from Bangladesh.”
Such incidents underscore the blurring lines between border policing and anti-migrant paranoia.
Central Government’s Role
The Union Ministry of Labour has directed states to uphold:
- The Inter-State Migrant Workmen Act (1979)
- Section 24 of the Bonded Labour Abolition Act
- Right to travel and work freely within India under Article 19
However, experts argue that the implementation of these laws is sporadic and politically influenced.
Expert Views
Prof. Sujoy Kar, economist at Calcutta University:
“This shows how informal migration in India still lacks data, dignity, and safety. Unless the labour force is formally tracked and protected, these situations will recur.”
Dr. Nandini Ghosh, sociologist:
“There’s a deeper caste and class lens here. Poor, rural, often lower-caste men become easy targets.”
Useful Government Links
- Ministry of Labour and Employment
- West Bengal State Emergency Helpline
- National Human Rights Commission (NHRC)
- e-SHRAM Portal – National Database of Unorganised Workers
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