West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee condemned the killing of a migrant worker from West Bengal in Odisha's Sambalpur district, alleging "brutal oppression" against Bengali-speaking people in BJP-ruled states. A zero FIR was filed, and a West Bengal police team is investigating in Odisha. The incident, reportedly stemming from an altercation over a 'bidi', has led Banerjee to claim migrant workers are returning home in fear. She pledged financial assistance to the deceased's family and asserted that speaking Bengali is not a crime.