TMC MP Derek O’Brien Writes to Odisha CM Over Assault on Bengal Natives in Bhadrak

Bhubaneswar: TMC MP Derek O’Brien has written a letter to Odisha Cm Naveen Patnaik expressing deep concern over the alleged harassment and physical assault of inhabitants from Murshidabad district in West Bengal in Odisha’s Bhadrak.

The TMC leader urged the Odisha CM to take strict action against the culprits.

According to reports, following an alleged assault by some BJP workers, over 100 residents of Samserganj in Murshidabad left Bhadrak town, leaving behind all their belongings.

These people had been living and selling their products in Bhadrak district for the past two decades. They were attacked when they could not show documents to “prove their Indian citizenship”. Police have arrested a local BJP leader Sayan Parida in connection with the attacks on the vendors from Murshidabad.

Quoting media reports, Derek O’Brien said, “They were beaten up with a bat after they refused to show documents to “prove their Indian citizenship”. A few days before this, they were videographed illegally and a video labelling them as “Bangladeshi informants” was circulated on social media. Circulation of this video led to more targeted physical assault by the BJP leaders and supporters,” he added.

He further said, “People of Odisha and West Bengal have held a close affinity for each other. At a personal level, as you know, my family and I have always shared a fond relationship with Odisha. The Constitution of India guarantees the right to live and earn freely and peacefully no matter where one might belong to. The assault on the people of Murshidabad must not become a blot on our nation’s ethos. I request you to take urgent cognizance of the matter and bring the culprits to book.”