DOOARS

Trouble at Jainti tea garden in Dooars

The authorities of Jainti tea estate in Dooars have left the plantation after declaring a suspension of work notice. The tea estate is situated at Samuktala police station area in Jalpaiguri district. Due to the closure of the tea garden the fate of about 1,200 workers and their family members turned uncertain.

Local sources said the workers had organised a demonstration against the authorities on Monday. The staged the demonstration as the authorities allegedly collected more money from them than normal against electricity bills. The demonstration reportedly made the officials panicky and they left the garden on Tuesday morning after issuing a suspension of work notice. They conveyed the sub-divisional authorities that they had to leave, as they feel insecure in the garden.

Aggrieved leaders of West Bengal Tea Garden Employees' Association and Dooars Cha Bagan Workers' Union, Mr Krishna Chhetry and Mr Parshuram Mahali said the it would have wise if the garden authorities discussed the matter with the workers and local administration. But, showing a baseless reason they left the plantation leaving about 1,200 workers jobless. The leaders said they conveyed the matter to the sub-divisional officials in Alipurduar to take steps. On the otherhand, no official of the tea estate was available to comment over the matter.