West Bengal Police has launched a WhatsApp helpline (9147727666) for Bengali workers facing harassment in other states. The move follows reports of attacks on migrants in BJP-ruled states. Families can now report issues directly, ensuring quicker response and protection for citizens working outside the state.
In response to a growing number of complaints and concerns over the safety of Bengali-speaking workers in several BJP-ruled states, the West Bengal Police on Friday issued a dedicated helpline number for citizens from the state who are working outside Bengal. The step is aimed at ensuring immediate assistance to migrant workers and their families in case of harassment or attacks.
The move comes in the backdrop of reports suggesting that Bengali-speaking workers have been allegedly targeted in states like Haryana, Maharashtra, Assam, Gujarat, and others. These states, mostly ruled by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), have seen sporadic incidents where Bengali migrants have claimed discrimination, verbal abuse, or even physical assaults.
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has repeatedly raised this issue in public forums and official meetings, expressing concern over what she describes as “politically motivated harassment” of Bengali workers. Her government has maintained that these incidents are not isolated but part of a larger trend of intolerance towards migrant laborers from Bengal.
Citing these developments, the West Bengal Police announced that it had received credible reports from multiple sources indicating the harassment of Bengali-speaking individuals working in other states. Many families back in West Bengal remain unsure about how to report such incidents or seek help.
“If you face any problem while working in another state from Bengal, contact the State Police Helpline. We are getting information from various sources that many people from West Bengal are facing various problems and are being harassed while working in other states. But those who are affected, their families do not have a clear idea about who to inform about this problem, how to inform them,” the police said in an official social media post.
To bridge this gap in communication, the West Bengal Police has launched a WhatsApp-only helpline: 9147727666. This number can be used by the affected individuals themselves or by their family members residing in West Bengal to report problems or request help.
“Citizens from West Bengal working in other states should inform their family members in case they face any trouble. The families can then immediately report the matter to their local police stations or the district control room. To make things easier, we are also launching a WhatsApp helpline. Please send a message to 9147727666, providing essential details such as the name and address of the affected individual,” the police said.
According to the statement, once the information is received, the police will verify the complaint and coordinate with the law enforcement authorities in the concerned state to ensure necessary action is taken. The aim, according to officials, is to create a responsive and quick mechanism to address the grievances of migrant workers who may not be in a position to directly approach authorities in the host states.
This announcement has added political weight, given that the Trinamool Congress (TMC) has long accused the BJP governments of ignoring the rights and dignity of migrant workers. In several instances, TMC leaders have demanded that the Centre and BJP-led state governments take serious note of the rising cases of violence and provide adequate safety to Bengali workers.
Political observers see this initiative by the West Bengal Police as both a humanitarian response and a political message. It reflects the state’s intent to protect its citizens, no matter where they reside, while also challenging the governance standards of rival party-ruled states.
For now, the WhatsApp helpline stands as a key tool for intervention, offering hope to thousands of migrant workers and their families, who may have felt abandoned and vulnerable amidst increasing incidents of hostility.
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As the issue gains national attention, it remains to be seen how the BJP-led states respond and whether steps are taken at an inter-state level to ensure the safety and dignity of migrant laborers across India.
