Clash erupts at Makrong Tea Estate in Golaghat over land encroachment, one injured

Golaghat, Apr 3: A violent clash broke out early Friday morning at Makrong Tea Estate in Golaghat district over alleged land encroachment, involving two groups.

One person identified as Jiten Chawtal who is the secretary of the tea garden sustained serious injuries in the attack and is currently undergoing treatment at Golaghat Civil Hospital.

The incident reportedly occurred after an attempt was made to forcibly occupy a portion of the tea estate’s land.

A section under Division No. 28 had allegedly been encroached upon by two individuals, identified as Phukan Nayak and Kamal Kachari, who had fenced off the area using bamboo.

Upon noticing the encroachment, the tea estate management intervened, and the garden committee’s president and secretary directed the accused to remove the fencing.

However, the situation escalated when the two men allegedly attacked committee president Mahesh Tanti and the secretary with sharp weapons.

A local resident said the matter came to light during a routine inspection by the estate manager.

“The manager visits the area regularly, especially during rains. During one such visit, he noticed a boundary erected on the land and immediately informed the president and secretary. When they went to inquire, they were attacked,” the resident said.

Following the incident, tensions flared in the tea estate, with hundreds of workers gathering at the site and removing the encroached fencing.

“We have removed all the bamboo fencing and will hand them over to the company. This is not the first such incident; similar attempts were made in the past,” he added.

A written complaint has been lodged against the accused at Merapani Police Station.

Meanwhile, when Merapani Police attempted to take the accused into custody, an agitated crowd allegedly assaulted them, further escalating the situation.