N Bengal labourer lynched in Gujarat

ALIPURDUAR: A After the death of a Malda daily labourer in Rajasthan around two weeks ago, another day labourer from Bengal’s Alipurduar fell victim to alleged lynching, this time in neighbouring Gujarat.
The alleged lynching of Madhu Sarkar, 22, took place on the night of December 24.
After the family was informed of Madhu’s death on Tuesday, a pall of gloom descended on the village.Breaking the tragic news to Madhu’s mother Mala, their relative Sagar Munshi said he had set out for Alipurduar with the youth’s body. Munshi, who also lives in Gujarat, had arranged a job for Madhu in a saw mill two years ago.
The victim had been working in the mill owned by Dipak Patel at Bhuroj Taran in Gujarat’s Ankeleswar district.
Madhu last spoke to his mother on the night of December 24. Mala recalled hearing screams from the other end while speaking to her son.
“I asked Madhu what the shouting was about. He merely told me some drunk men were screaming out on the road. The line got discconnected soon after. I sensed something amiss and could not contact him despite trying repeatedly,” she said.
In her police complaint, Mala mentioned she suspects the drunk men outside her son’s rented home had lynched him. Alipurduar MLA Saurabh Chakraborty visited the victim’s house and met his mother.
Condoling Madhu’s death, the MLA assured Mala of all help and also spoke to state minister Aroop Biswas, requesting him to take up Madhu’s death with the Gujarat government.
ADG North Bengal Siddhinath Gupta said, “I have heard of the tragedy. We don’t yet know the reason behind the youth’s death. We will start an inquiry from our end.”
Alipurduar district police officers said they had contacted Gujarat Police and asked for a copy of Madhu’s postmortem report.