Tension has gripped the Namtola Tea Estate in Assam’s Charaideo district following the death of a tea garden worker, which sparked protests by fellow labourers. The deceased, identified as Ishwar Munda, was reportedly engaged in leaf-weighing duties at Section No. 5 of the tea estate on Tuesday. When Munda failed to return home after completing his duty, his family members and local residents launched a search, which led to the discovery of his body inside the tea garden premises.
The incident has sparked outrage among tea garden workers, who halted work and staged a protest on Wednesday morning, demanding clarity on the circumstances surrounding Munda’s death. Protesters alleged negligence on the part of the tea estate management, questioning why supervisors and sardars on duty had not informed the worker’s family when he failed to return after working hours. They demanded a fair and transparent inquiry into the incident.
The local unit of the Assam Tea Tribes Students’ Association (ATTSA) has submitted a memorandum to the tea estate authorities, seeking a proper investigation into the death and adequate compensation for the bereaved family. Police have initiated an investigation, and the exact cause of death is expected to be ascertained after the post-mortem report is received. Further investigation is underway.
