Kolkata, Feb 12 (NationPress) The Trinamool Congress has firmly denied the assertion made by the Pune Police that a migrant laborer from West Bengal met his end due to a drunken confrontation. This rejection comes as Abhishek Banerjee, the party's national General Secretary, is set to visit the home of the deceased in Purulia on Friday.

Pune Police earlier released a statement regarding the tragic demise of Sukhen Mahato, a migrant worker hailing from the Purulia district, claiming he was allegedly intoxicated during the incident.

According to police reports, Mahato was said to have engaged in a dispute with two individuals while inebriated. The Maharashtra Police indicated that preliminary investigations point to his death resulting from this confrontation. However, the ruling Trinamool Congress in West Bengal has dismissed this narrative, accusing the police of attempting to present such a theory to “save face.”

In recent months, there have been rising allegations concerning the mistreatment of migrant workers from West Bengal in various BJP-ruled states, including Maharashtra, with claims of targeted violence and murders. The TMC asserts that Bengali-speaking migrants are being assaulted based on their linguistic and cultural identity. The family of the deceased has made similar claims in this particular case.

Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee also took to social media to express her outrage over the incident, alleging that the young man was tortured to death due to his language, identity, and roots.

Following her remarks, Pune Police provided a comprehensive statement, revealing that the incident transpired on Monday night. Mahato was employed at a local firm, and on the day of the incident, he left his home around 3 p.m. for work but, as per police accounts, failed to show up.

Instead of reporting to work, police claim Mahato was wandering the Koregaon area of Pune while intoxicated.

Inspector Deepratan Gaikwad of the Shikrapur police station stated that Mahato had a disagreement with two individuals while allegedly under the influence on the day of the incident.

“In our initial investigation, we suspect he was murdered by two individuals following that argument. We possess CCTV footage showing the deceased arguing with two individuals while intoxicated; however, the actual assault was not captured on the cameras. He was later found lying near the site, having sustained fatal injuries from a sharp weapon,” the officer stated.

Authorities confirmed that the murder seemingly arose from a drunken dispute, with no other motive identified thus far. They noted that efforts are ongoing to locate and apprehend the suspects.

After the Pune Police's statement was made public, it was confirmed that Abhishek Banerjee would visit Purulia on Friday to meet with Mahato’s family.

In the meantime, TMC officials reiterated their rejection of the police's account. State minister Chandrima Bhattacharya stated, “The incident that has occurred in Maharashtra is not an isolated case. For several months, Bengalis have faced continual harassment and violence in various states for speaking Bengali. When we raise these concerns, the police of the BJP-led Maharashtra government seek to present a different narrative to save face. This will not be effective. Everyone is aware of what is transpiring.”