Colleagues beat Bengal man to death in Jaipur over argument

MALDA: A 42-year-old jewellery shop worker from Malda, Moti Ali, was beaten to death by his colleagues in Jaipur, Rajasthan. The incident occurred on Tuesday during a dinner gathering, following a quarrel. His body was brought back to his village on Sunday, where a protest rally was held.

Moti, a resident of Miskinpur in the Harishchandrapur police station area, had been working at the Jaipur jewellery shop for the past 20 years. On Tuesday, while having dinner with other workers - mostly from Bihar and Odisha - an argument escalated into a violent scuffle.

Moti sustained severe injuries to his head, stomach, and back. He called friends in other areas of Jaipur, complaining of severe stomach pain.

They got him admitted to hospital, where doctors discovered extensive damage to his intestines and other internal organs. Despite undergoing surgery, Moti succumbed to his injuries on Friday.

Relatives and other workers from Malda brought Moti's body back to his village on Sunday morning. His wife, Roshnara, and their two young sons received his body.

"I spoke to him on Wednesday when he complained about stomach pain. Within two days, he was gone. He was the sole breadwinner of our family," said Roshnara.

Ministers of state Tajmul Hossain and Sabina Yeasmin visited Moti's house on Sunday. Yeasmin said: "We stand by the family. The chief minister has provided Rs 2 lakh to the bereaved family, and we have handed over the cheque.

The migrant labourers' welfare board has also sanctioned Rs 25,000." Hossain said: "We are arranging for a widow pension and will ensure the children's education."

Following Moti's burial, a protest rally was held in his village, attended by both ministers. "Just a few days ago, a worker from South 24 Parganas was beaten to death in Haryana. Some workers have driven out of Odisha. Are not the Bengali workers safe in BJP run states?" asked Yeasmin.