Assam: Tea tribe students’ body calls for shutdown in Tinsukia over ‘murder’ of garden worker

The All Assam Tea Tribes Students' Association (ATTSA) called for a shutdown in Tinsukia district in Upper Assam on June 24^th, 2020 over the alleged murder of a tea garden chowkidar.

Hundreds of tea-garden workers including women and children in presence of top tea-belt leaders blockaded the National Highway 37 at Makum triangle, a town next to Tinsukia, 9 kilometers south on June 23^rd, 2020. There was a long que of vehicles due to the blocade since evening on Digboi and Kakopathar road.

The heinous incident took place on June 22^nd, 2020 night at Betjan Tea Estate which falls under Makum police station in the district.

According to sources, one Jacky Biger, 37, a chowkidar of Betjan Tea Estate was attacked by sharp weapons and killed on the spot while he was on duty. The severe injuries on the deceased head, temple, hand and leg could be clearly seen on his body.

Also read: Tripura: Small tea growers fetching higher prices after going organic

Assam Adivasi Students' Association of Assam (AASAA), ATTSA and Assam Chah Mazdoor Sangha (ACMS) and many other tea organizations staged protest keeping the deceased body on the road for many hours on Tuesday last.

They burnt tyres and shouted slogans keeping high placards in hands demanding immediate arrest and rigorous punishment to the culprit. According to protesters tea- leaves theft incidents are linked with such untoward incidents and is not the first such incident of the district. They demanded capital punishment for the culprits.

Talking to InsideNE, Tea Tribe Welfare and Labour minister Sanjay Kishan said, “I condemn the incident in strong words. I express my condolences to the bereaved family. Jacky Biger was a dutiful worker of tea garden. The tea garden is Assam's asset. It is Assam's pride. He sacrificed while going to protect the asset. His sacrifice will not go meaningless. Those who are involved in the killing, will be arrested soon. And action will be taken as per law. I have instructed the police and district administration. There must not be leaf-theft basically in the gardens of Betjan and Hafjan and to identify if any agent behind it. Action should be taken against those also who purchase such leaves. The vehicles should be seized which are used for any such leave carrying. The conspiracy against garden and to destroy it by miscreants will never be tolrated. Satisfactory actions are being taken."

"I have talked to the chief minister and about compensation to the next kin of Jacky Biger. Sooner rather than later compensation will be provided," Kishan added.

Reacting on the incident, Rupesh Gowala, the state general secretary of ACMS, said, “The district administration is unable to give a permanent solution to such incidents which occurred in past in Doomdooma too. We want justice. We want compensation for Jacky's kin. "

It may be mentioned here that leave theft incidents have had occured in past under Baghjan police station of the district also.

"We declare Tinsukia district bandh from 6 am morning for 12 years. The gardens too will remain close. The culprit must be arrested within 24 hours. " An ATTSA leader, said.

On the other hand All Moan Students' Union ( AMSU ) president Arunjyoti Moran condemned the incident strongly and demanded to arrest the culprit and give rigorous punishment as per law. Moran further added, "Assam government and garden authority must give compensation to Jacky family and a job too.  The society should be free from violence and crime. Peace and harmony should prevail."

A top police official said that the investigation is in progress and the teams are working to nab the culprit at the earliest.

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