SILCHAR, March 17 - Another incident of tea garden lockout has surfaced in Cachar district ahead of the Assembly elections in the State. The management of Dayapur Tea Estate under Udharbondh constituency in Cachar district has declared a lockout following a dispute of repairing of labour quarters. The two out-gardens of the estate at Majhargram and Durganagar are also locked.
According to DN Baroi, assistant general secretary of Barak Cha Sramik Union, two out gardens of the estate at Majhargram and Durganagar are also locked. On March 14 and the officials have fled from the garden.
Baroi said that there are 800 labourers in the estate who have been echoing demands to repair their quarters for a long time. Despite repeated discussions with the garden management there were no sign of any amicable solution. �With no option left, labourers gheraoed the garden manager Subash Parikh on March 14 demanding a reply to their demands. Somehow, the manager was rescued by the police. On March 15, the garden management issued a notice that the garden will be locked putting lives of the labourers in jeopardy,� Baroi said.
He added that the Assistant Labour Commissioner Cachar, Dipen Sharma, has called a tripartite meeting between the garden management, Barak Cha Sramik Union and the Indian Tea Association, Barak Valley unit on March 19 at his office to solve the deadlock.
Baroi also said that Ajit Singh, Sports Minister and general secretary of Barak Cha Sramik Union, has raised serious concerns on the issue and assured the labourers that the garden would be reopened soon.
