Workers of closed Panighatta TE curse owner

EOI, PANIGHATTA (MIRIK), 3 Feb 2016:Several workers of closed Panighatta Tea Estate who lost their relatives are cursing the owner and demanding the state government to arrest him immediately who allegedly threw poor workers to die without proper food, medical aid and depression.

Sixty three years old ShantaTamang who lost her only bread earning husband recently was crying when journalist asked her about her husband's past history in tea garden.

She said, "The owner of the garden is responsible for the death of my husband who died due to depression. At the age of retirement he went to work in the garden only to get retirement benefits which the owner allegedly failed to provide to about 20 senior citizens."

She also said, "The people who snatched our bread will never be happy in life. God will punish him I curse them."

ArunaLakra (30) who lost her young husband  due to lack of proper treatment and depression after the closure of tea garden is under frustration as she is facing difficulties to provide education costs for her two daughters and a son.

Aruna's husband FiftyneushLakra (35) was a permanent worker died on 23rd November due to heart attack. Aruna is working in a private school and earning Rs 2000/- which is insufficient to run a family.

LaxmiTirwa (41) is still in trauma after her bread earning husband Samir Tirwa (42) died on 31st January due to lack of money to save her ailing husband. Samir's both kidney failed and doctors have advised for regular dialysis which they can't' afford the expenses.

Amar Gurung and PradeepPradhan local residents said that they have collected around Rs 50,000/- for the treatment of Samir at Vellore. Later after returning back to home the family members can't afford the dialysis costs which came around Rs 2,000 per visit excluding travelling and other expenses.

Aruna who was crying before journalist said, "My curse will make the owner poorest among poor and will have to face the same situation as hundreds of workers of Panighatta are facing now."

Aruna's two sons are unemployed and 19 years old daughter works in as a domestic helper in Delhi after the death of Samir.

According to Amar Gurung 12 people have died after the closure of tea garden and several are suffering from acute diseases due to lack of proper foods, treatment and depression.

The tea garden was closed on 10th October 2015 without paying pooja bonus, gratuity amount, rations of 31 weeks and 2.5 crores of provident fund amounts of 987 permanent and 750 casual workers.