MALDA: Syedpur had never seen so many VIPs stepping in their dusty road. Since morning, political leaders and administrative officials are pouring in, some with mere sympathy, some with doles and promises.

Never has this Village witnessed so many policemen here too. Chief minister Mamata Banerjee has already announced compensation, promised a job for kin and team of ministers and MP are visiting tomorrow with her message to the family of Afrazul (46) who was brutally killed two days back in Rajsamand of Rajasthan allegedly in case of love jihad.

Oppositions like Congress or CPM too does not want leave the issue. MLAs like Sabina Yeasmin or Isha Khan Choudhury of Congress was waiting patiently for the body of Afrazul to arrive this evening. No wonder, no such words of sympathy or promises reach the victim’s wife Gulmohar Biwi who is yet to recover from the shock. Amid the continuous crying of daughters Habiba or Rejina, she sat mute with a vacant look.

About 3 km east from the National Highway-34, Syedpur bears all the symptoms minority dominated villages of this part of the world. Most unhygienic lifestyle, huge population, little source of sustenance leads most of the youths to migration to other states.

“At least 200 youths of our village are at present in Rajasthan, Delhi or Gujarat in construction work,” claimed Md Rumsek, a neighbour of Afrazul. They work mainly as construction labourers. Youths like Mostaque, Etaur or Pachu are presently at Kakroli of Rajsamand in Rajasthan.

If migration for work is nothing new in this part of the world, meeting accident there too is a common phenomena. Three years back, as many as 11 persons of Malda were killed in a building collapse at Maharashtra. Risky works

like setting up tower also take lives almost regularly. But this time the scenario is entirely different.

“We never thought of such violence where a man is so brutally lynched only for his religion,” said aged Samiul Hossain who himself had been to Rajasthan in his youth as labourer. True to his fear, voice demanding justice is increasing in the area.

When Rejina, daughter of Afrazul said, “We not only demand the hanging of the killer but we want it happen in public”, the clapping was spontaneous.

Hapless are the mothers like Rejina Biwi, Nargesh Biwi or Saro Biwi who are spending their sleepless nights for their sons —Alauddin, Rubel and Tulu respectively—who are at work in the same site of Afrazul. “I’ve told him to come back; no need of money”, said Rejina.

Arfa Biwi, mother of Muktar Sk who is presently working at Jodhpur, “My son had seen the murder in video and conceded that he could not sleep since then. How can I live in peace here?”

Ayesh Sk, who has the experience of such work, said, “Mostly we do the work under a local contractor. It is most gruelling task taking almost 12 hours a day. But the payment of Rs 400 per day lures us.”

Yes, even after such incident nobody thinks against going to other state as labourer, “What shall we eat if we stop going there? There is no job here”, said Md Rumsek. No less pathetic is the condition of Waheb of neighbour village Bibigram, “I’ve done my MA and still have no job for two years. Perhaps I’ve to go as a labourer in near future.”