The mysterious death of  Alauddin Sheikh aka Alai Sheikh (30) in Jharkhand, a migrant worker from Murshidabad, sparked intense unrest in Beldanga on Friday. After his body was returned to his village, angry residents blocked National Highway 12 and the Beldanga railway station, paralyzing transport between Kolkata and North Bengal for eight hours.

The blockade was finally lifted late in the evening after District Magistrate Nitin Singhania visited the site and provided specific assurances to the family and protesters.

Incident Background and Allegations

Alai Sheikh, a resident of Sujapur Kumarpur, worked as a peddler in Jharkhand to support his family. His body was found hanging in a room on Thursday near the border area. His family and neighbors have vehemently rejected suicide claims, alleging that Alai was brutally beaten and murdered for being a worker from Bengal. They believe the hanging was staged to cover up the crime.

High-Profile Visits and Administration Response

Former MP and Congress leader Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury visited the deceased’s home in Sujapur Tatlapara to offer condolences. He spoke with the family, joined the protesters on the highway, and personally called the Jharkhand police to demand a fast and fair investigation.

Official Assurances: To end the 8-hour standoff, the District Magistrate promised:

Financial compensation for the family.

A government job for one family member.

The formation of a Legal Task Force and a dedicated Control Room to ensure the safety of migrant workers.

Impact on Transport

The protest caused massive disruptions, including miles of traffic congestion on NH12 and the total suspension of train services on the Lalgola–Sealdah line. While the blockades have been removed, the situation remains closely monitored by the police to maintain peace.

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