A group of labourers from the Shahpur division of Rosekandy tea garden in Cachar district on Wednesday attacked the general manager, Ishvarbhai Ubhadia, when he was on routine inspection.

The tea garden was closed for 20 days because of a strike by its labourers, demanding the ouster of Ubhadia. Section 144 CrPC was imposed to bring the situation under control. Three labourers were arrested. The district administration constituted an inquiry committee which is yet to submit a report.

On Wednesday around 11am, Ubhadia went to inspect the Shahpur division of Rosekandy garden. While he was interacting with the labourers, a group of workers attacked him with sticks. Several chappals were hurled at him. It was raining and Ubhadia had an umbrella. His spectacles were broken. Two women labourers tried to drag him when his personal security guards resorted to blank firing to disperse the agitated labourers.

Ubhadia sped away from the spot in his vehicle and took shelter in his bungalow. The labourers came a while later and threw stones. They gheraoed the bungalow and started shouting slogans.

Ubhadia told this correspondent over phone that he was feeling insecure inside the bungalow. He is still inside it till reports last came in. He said: “I am confined to the bungalow. There is no scope to file an FIR. They are still inside the factory compound.”

A police team, led by additional superintendent of police, Cachar, rushed to the spot in the evening.

Rosekandy garden, 30km from Silchar town, annually produces 14 lakh kg tea. The garden has 560 hectares of land.

Besides permanent workers, retired tea workers and villagers stay in the garden. The garden was established in 1860.