Assam: Tense situation prevails after sudden lockout declared in Pathini Tea Estate

Karimganj, May 11: About 100 labourers in a tea garden in Assam's Karimganj district have launched an agitation after the authorities allegedly declared a sudden suspension of operation in Pathini tea garden in Assam’s Karimganj district.

The workers of Pathini tea garden, located about 60 kilometres from Karimganj town, have been protesting against the garden authorities' decision since Friday following the lockout declared on the previous day.

Local administration officials as well as a tea association have initiated steps to sort out the matter between the two sides.

Sources said that at the Pathini Tea Estate under Patharkandi Circle in Karimganj, a wave of discontent and agitation has swept through the workforce as the garden manager, accompanied by other employees, absconded during the night, leaving behind a disgruntled staff unpaid for a week's labour.

Sources further revealed that the turmoil began on May 9, 2024, when the garden manager embarked on a routine inspection only to encounter an attempted assault by unidentified assailants, leading to a tense confrontation.

Upon learning of the escalating situation, local MLA Krishnendu Pal was informed, prompting him to dispatch officials from the tea workers union to mediate.

However, tensions escalated further as the workers discovered on Friday night that the manager had clandestinely posted a notice announcing a lockout before disappearing without fulfilling the obligation of paying wages owed to the labourers.