Bata MD assaulted by union members

The three were under suspension since November 1996 for allegedly assaulting the company8217;s welfare officer.

According to Mowla, a brief altercation between the managing director and union members ensued followed by slogan-shouting.

As Weston tried to leave, he was physically prevented by an executive committee member of the union, Arup Datta, and in the process, the Bata managing director was injured in the left palm with a deep cut of about two inches, Mowla said.

Later, one of the suspended employees, Krishnendu Goswami, with 70 other employees, gheraoed Weston and three seniorexecutives, G C Bahuguna, R N Singh, and Sujit Sen, which was lifted afterwards, Mowla said.

The chief minister8217;s secretariat and the home minister8217;s office, when contacted, promised support to the Bata management. Weston and other senior managers were later escorted to Calcutta with the help of the police, he said.

In the evening, Mowla said, the Bata management dismissed the three suspended employees, who were found guilty following an internal inquiry.