The family of a migrant labourer from Malda’s Chanchal, expressing grave concern over the wellbeing of their detained relatives, filed a formal complaint at Chanchal police station on Monday against the Delhi Police.
They have demanded the immediate release of Muqtar Khan, a daily wage earner, along with his wife, parents, and minor child.
The incident has sparked renewed outrage and unrest in Firozabad locality of Chanchal, from where the family hails.
The controversy escalated after chief minister Mamata Banerjee on Sunday posted a video and images on her official X handle, purportedly showing Delhi Police personnel allegedly assaulting the migrant worker’s wife and infant child.
In her post, the chief minister wrote: ““Atrocious! Terrible! See how Delhi Police brutally beat up a child and his mother, members of a migrant family from Malda’s Chanchal. See how even a child is not spared from the cruelty of violence in the regime of linguistic terror unleashed by BJP in the country against Bengalis! Where are they taking our country now?”
According to the family, Muqtar Khan, along with his wife and child, were first detained by Delhi Police on Saturday on suspicion of being Bangladeshi nationals. His sister, Muqtari Khatun, alleged that her sister-in-law and the infant were subjected to custodial abuse before being released. The family claimed Muqtar subsequently posted images of the incident on social media, drawing the attention of the chief minister.
However, following the viral post, the family members allege that Delhi Police again detained Muqtar Khan, his wife, and his parents on Sunday around 9 PM, in what they described as retaliatory action. As of Monday morning, they were reportedly still being held at the police station, with no formal explanation given.
The Khan family, long-time residents of Delhi and originally from Firozabad in Chanchal, have been working there as daily wage labourers for several years.
Police in Malda have confirmed receipt of the complaint, and the matter has sparked political and civil outrage across north Bengal.