Pune/Kolkata: After West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee alleged that a 24-year-old migrant worker from her state was murdered in Pune for speaking Bengali, the Pune rural police on Thursday said the killing followed a drunken altercation with two individuals and had no other motive.
Shikarpur police said they have detained two people, including a minor, in connection with the murder.
“The two persons, including a minor, are local and as per preliminary probe, the assault was out of quarrel emerging over some reason,” said inspector Dipratan Gaikwad of Shikrapur Police Station.
Police said the incident took place late on February 9 in Koregaon village under the jurisdiction of Shikrapur police station.
According to investigators, the deceased, identified as Sukhen Mahato, was employed at a local industrial unit. “He left his residence around 3 pm saying he was going to work, but instead began moving around Koregaon in an intoxicated condition,” said Gaikwad, adding that while intoxicated, Mahato got into an argument with two men. “Our preliminary investigation indicates that following this quarrel, the two men allegedly killed him,” he said.
Police have accessed CCTV footage showing Mahato in an unsteady state and seen arguing with two persons. “The actual attack is not captured on camera. However, his body was later found nearby, and he appears to have been killed with a sharp weapon,” Gaikwad said.
{{/usCountry}}Police have accessed CCTV footage showing Mahato in an unsteady state and seen arguing with two persons. “The actual attack is not captured on camera. However, his body was later found nearby, and he appears to have been killed with a sharp weapon,” Gaikwad said.
{{/usCountry}}Meanwhile, earlier in the day, Banerjee termed the killing a “hate crime” and demanded swift action against those responsible.
In a post on X, the chief minister said she was “shaken, enraged, and sickened beyond words” by the murder of Mahato, a resident of Bandwan in Purulia district and the sole earning member of his family. She alleged that he was targeted for his language and identity.
Calling the incident a consequence of growing xenophobia, Banerjee sought the immediate arrest of the accused and exemplary punishment. She also said the West Bengal government would stand with the victim’s family and make all efforts to ensure justice.