The management of Teok Tea Estate has declared lockout in the garden from today after workers on Saturday lynched the doctor of the garden Dr Deben Dutta and on the other hand police have picked up 21 persons in connection with the incident.
The lockout has been declared in the main garden, factory and in the Konikor-Dalimi out-division of the estate, as per the notice isued by the the management of the garden owned by Amalgamated Plantations Private Limited.
Yesterday, late afternoon a large group of workers went berseck reportedly after not finding the doctor in the garden hospital when an injured worker brought to the garden hospital died. As Dutta arrived later he was physically assaulted by the mob and after being rescued by police and administration officials Dutta succumbed to his injuries at the Jorhat Medical College and Hospital in the evening.
IGP (Law and Order) Dipak Kedia today reached Jorhat and visited the garden and took stock of the situation. Later, in the afternoon the IGP chaired a meeting of senior police officials at the Jorhat Police Staion and reviewed the progress of investigation in the case.
When contacted, Kedia told Media that police have picked up 21 persons so far and their interrogation was on. He did not rule out the possibility of picking up more persons.
The IGP said that police were carrying out investigation in the case and were progressing well in collecting evidences from various sources such as video clippings and witnesses and other related matters to nail the culprits.
Kedia said that all appropriate steps have been initiated by the police to make a water-tight case to bring the guilty to justice and forces have been sufficiently deployed in the garden to maintain law and order. He added the situation was very much under control.
Teok Revenue Circle Officer Bhaskar Rajbongshi said that the the creamation of Dutta was done today at Teok Jogduwar after his body was brought to the deceased’s residence from JMCH where many paid homage to the departed soul.
Rajbongshi said that the body of the worker Somra Majhi was also cremated today within the garden premises.
The Revenue Circle officer said thst the administration was keeping a close watch on the situation.
He said that the office of the Assistant Labour Commissioner’s office, Jorhat soon will be initiating the process for reconciliation by organising talks between the management and workers to bring back normalcy in the garden so that lockout could be lifted.
Jorhat Deputy Commissioner Roshni A Korati said that tomorrow she will be having a meeting with the tea estate management officials to discuss about the situation and lockout.
