Fresh unrest intensified in West Bengal's Murshidabad district on Saturday, January 17, 2026, where police resorted to baton charges to disperse angry mobs. The protesters had blocked National Highway 12 and disrupted rail services on the Sealdah–Lalgola section, causing significant disruption. The agitation initially began on Friday, January 16, following the death of Alauddin Sheikh, a 30 or 36-year-old migrant worker from Murshidabad, whose body was found in Jharkhand. His family vehemently denied suicide claims, alleging he was brutally murdered after being targeted for his Bengali identity. The situation escalated further on Saturday due to allegations of another migrant worker, Anisur Sheikh, being brutally assaulted in Bihar, which reignited public anger that had barely subsided. During the protests, at least 12 people, including several journalists, sustained injuries, with reports indicating that media personnel were specifically targeted and assaulted while covering the events. A large contingent of police, including the District Superintendent, was deployed, conducting route marches and using force to clear the blockades and restore order. The incident quickly gained political traction, with West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee alleging that migrant workers from the state were being targeted in BJP-ruled states for speaking Bengali, and accusing the BJP of attempting to incite riots. Conversely, the BJP has previously highlighted violence in Murshidabad, referencing a past incident in April 2025 where they claimed Hindus were targeted and TMC functionaries were involved. District authorities have offered assurances, including financial compensation and a government job for Alauddin Sheikh's family, to pacify the protestors and lift the blockades.