West Bengal Police Launches Helpline for Harassed Migrant Workers

Rapid Summary

• The West Bengal police initiated a helpline number (9147727666) via WhatsApp for migrant workers facing harassment in other states.
• reports suggest that migrant workers from Bengal were detained in BJP-ruled states, accused of being Bangladeshi nationals.
• Workers or their families can inform local police stations or district control rooms, and the West Bengal authorities will coordinate with concerned state governments for resolution.
• Leader of Opposition (LOP), Suvendu Adhikari, criticized the police’s move as politically motivated and aimed at alarming Bengalis working across India.
• Adhikari shared his email ID for anyone allegedly harassed by “Mamata’s police” or to report data on Rohingya Muslims/illegal Bangladeshi Muslim immigrants living in West Bengal.

Indian opinion Analysis

The helpline introduced by the West Bengal police highlights growing concerns about migrant worker safety amid claims of targeted harassment in BJP-led states. Such allegations have added to ongoing political tensions between opposition parties. While any report of detention raises serious questions regarding interstate harmony and enforcement practices, both sides appear focused on politicizing these issues further-Adhikari leveraging concerns about illegal immigration while countering claims raised by Mamata Banerjee’s government. For India, ensuring coordinated humanitarian efforts across state boundaries without compromising internal security remains critical as migration grows increasingly interconnected.

Read more: Link