JORHAT, Dec 13 - Police today arrested two owners (brothers) of a tea garden in Golaghat district after they reportedly opened fire indiscriminately on a group of protesting workers resulting in 10 protesters sustaining
bullet injuries.
The arrested persons are Sudhir Roy and Samir Roy, owners of Bogidhola Tea Estate. Police said eight of the injured workers have been shifted to Jorhat Medical College and Hospital, while the remaining two are undergoing treatment at the Golaghat Kushal Konwar Civil Hospital. The condition of the injured is reported to be out of danger.
Police said a large number of workers of the tea garden that falls under Numaligarh police outpost had gathered in front of the bungalow of the owners to protest against non-payment of bonus to the workers. The workers claimed that the management had promised to pay bonus to them by December 12, sources said.
The protesters allegedly burnt tyres and shouted angrily against the owners and then allegedly tried to storm into the bungalow following which the garden owners reportedly opened fire on the workers. The incident occurred at around 10:45 am.
Before the situation could turn to worse and go out of hand, a police team led by ASP Dhruba Bora arrived at the spot and brought the situation under control.
Golaghat SP Manabendra Dev Ray told The Assam Tribune that both Samir and Sudhir have been arrested and the situation was under control. He said security in the garden has been tightened and the situation was closely being observed.
The SP said from preliminary investigation it has been known that both the owners had fired from their licensed arms � a double barrel gun and a pistol. ASP Dhruba Bora said the gun has been recovered and police were looking for the pistol.
Later, activists of the Chah Shramik Mukti Sangram Samiti staged a demonstration in front of the Golaghat deputy commissioner�s office. Police picked up three protesters.
The Golaghat district unit of the ATTSA has meanwhile given a 12-hour district bandh tomorrow from 5 am to protest the firing incident.
