JORHAT, March 27 � The workers of the Tocklai Tea Estate resorted to a fast-unto-death protesting against the non-action of the Jorhat district administration over the forceful occupation of land of the tea garden by the National Institute of Design (NID) athorities, from 1 pm today.
Yesterday, Jorhat district administration gave assurance to the agitating tea workers that all activities to set up the proposed NID would be stopped at that place till April 2. But, surprisingly today, NID authority with a large group of armed police force started occupying the disputed land of the Tocklai Tea Estate by force and started working on it. But thousands of workers of the garden came out and repulsed the forceful acquisition of land by the authority and the armed police.
Various organizations have extended their support to the protesters today. People from different parts of the district have been joining the protest.
Sanjay Krishna Tanti, convenor, Chah Shramik Mukti Sangram Samiti, told this correspondent that the strike would be taken off only if the government change the venue of the proposed NID.
He also criticised the activity of the district administration for breaking the trust of the tea garden workers.
