The Beech tea estate that has been closed since February 25 in the Kalchini block of Alipurduar district will reopen on Saturday.
The decision to reopen the plantation was taken at a tripartite meeting held in the deputy labour commissioner’s office at the Dooars Kanya, the district collectorate here.
On February 21, the manager and some other executives of the garden had been assaulted by a section of workers. They had also vandalised the manager’s office. Police rescued the manager who was given treatment at a private nursing home.
Some residents of the garden had allegedly stolen sandal trees. The manager summoned some workers to enquire about the theft and he was accused of assaulting some of them. In retaliation, the workers assaulted the managerial staff.
This made the management issue a pre-lockout notice on February 22. On February 24, the state labour department intervened and organised a tripartite meeting. However, at the meeting, the trade union leaders said they couldn't ensure the safety and security of the manager and other executives in the garden. This made the management announce the suspension of operations in the garden from the following day.
“In today’s meeting, the trade union leaders assured that they would see that the manager and other executives remained safe in the garden. Following the assurance, the management agreed to reopen the garden tomorrow (Saturday),” said a source.
The decision has come as a relief for 2,200 workers who serve in the garden. They have been jobless for around a fortnight.
“We thank the management for the decision and hope regular activities will resume in the garden,” said Nakul Sonar, the president of the Trinamul Cha Bagan Sramik Union.
Chinmoy Dhar, the chairman of the north Bengal branch of the Tea Association of India, said the planters wanted the police to arrest the attackers of the manager.
“The management will reopen the garden tomorrow. But the law will take its course and those involved in the attack will face legal consequences,” said Dhar.
