Manager leaves tea estate

TT, Siliguri, Aug. 17: The manager of Dagapur tea garden left the estate today after workers agitated over his alleged autocratic attitude and decision to distribute candies instead of sweets on Independence Day.

Labourers alleged that the manager had threatened to stop Independence Day celebrations in future.

Manager Bikramdeep Singh Shekhon denied the charges and said he left after some workers protested today because he tried to take disciplinary steps against a labourer who had allegedly entered the garden office without permit.

Sources said no notice had been issued in the garden and the factory ran normally today. No plucking was done.

Guard Muchai Soya, the unit secretary of Intuc-affiliated National Union of Plantation Workers, said: "Every year workers and their children get laddoo and namkin (snacks) on Independence Day. But this year, only toffees were given. When I went to him (manager) and wanted to know why, he abused me verbally."

Around 100 workers had organised a demonstration at 7.30am today demanding Shekhon's removal.

"During the Independence Day programme, Soya came to the office and without my consent, started distributing candies among workers. When I protested, he verbally abused me," Shekhon said. "I decided to issue a showcause notice to him. But he got to know about it and organised a protest," he said before leaving at 1.30pm.

The garden, 10km from here, has 450-odd worker,