Guwahati, Assam, July 28, 2024 — Tensions have escalated at the Fatehabad tea estate in Assam’s Baksa district as 52 workers, demanding their overdue wages, have intensified their protest against garden manager Dhiraj Barman and the estate administration. The workers have been protesting for the past four weeks, with frustrations boiling over when a group of women laborers blocked the manager’s vehicle, insisting on their four-week overdue salaries.
“We do not accept the notice you gave to return our money by Wednesday,” a local woman declared. “We need our money by Saturday.” The workers have been vocal in their dissatisfaction, chanting slogans like “Stop the conspiracy,” “Manager Dhiraj Barman, resign,” and “Pay our salaries,” underscoring their urgent need for a resolution.
In response, the tea workers have filed an FIR against Barman, accusing him of contributing to the delay in wage payments and alleging conspiracies against their interests. The prolonged delay has caused significant distress among the laborers, who rely on their earnings to support their families.
The protestors have expressed concerns about the potential escalation of the situation. They fear that if their demands are not met soon, there could be a resurgence of militant movements within the community.
As the protest enters its fifth week, the tea workers of Fatehabad tea estate remain steadfast in their demands for justice and timely payment of their wages. The local administration and tea estate management are under increasing pressure to address the workers’ grievances and find a resolution to the ongoing crisis.
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