Five Assam tea labourers killed in police firing

The police ordered a lathicharge to control the mob. But as that proved futile, they opened fire, killing five labourers, including two women, on the spot. Ten others who were seriously injured have been shifted to Tinsukia District Hospital.

Reports said that while the company had initially stuck to an 8.33 per cent bonus, it signed an agreement on Saturday with the Assam Chah Mazdoor Sangha (ACMS), the apex body of labour unions affiliated to the INTUC. But even as the company prepared for disbursement of the payments, some labourers under the banner of Assam Sangrami Chah Shramik Parishad, a CPI(ML)-affiliated body, refused to accept the 15 per cent offer and assaulted the manager.

While most tea companies have agreed to pay bonus at 15 per cent, which has been accepted by the ACMS, the CPI(ML)-affiliated group has accused the ACMS of joining hands with the managements to deprive labourers of their due.

The industry, which has been reeling under an acute crisis, was initially not willing to pay more than the 8.33 per cent stipulated in the Payment of Bonus Act. But after the state government’s intervention, most companies agreed to pay bonus at 15 per cent.

On Friday too, police resorted to firing in another estate in Sivasagar district, but no one was injured. The Bhaskar Tea Company had declared a lockout at its Tinalibam estate following labour unrest.