Oil India Limited acquiring 33 bighas of Bagjan Tea Estate worries TE workers

A Correspondent

TINSUKIA: A simmering discontent has been brewing up after Oil India Limited (OIL) acquired 33 bighas of Bagjan Tea Estate belonging to MK Shah Export Limited. The tea workers numbering thousands backed by Chah Mazdoor Sangh, AATSA etc resorted to demonstration on Thursday in front of the main gate and later assembled at Bagjan police station shouting slogan against police administration and OIL. The workers alleged that the OIL authority, instead of negotiation, started acquiring the land using force and threat.

The agitating leaders pointed out that a large area of Bagjan TE had been under threat due to erosion by Dangori River which is close to Dibru-Saikhowa National Park besides recent devastating oil spillage from OIL’s Bagjan OCS damaging tea gardens and agricultural fields; any further proliferation by the OIL would be devastating for the entire area. The aggrieved workers said they would stop OIL’s move at any cost and whatever means possible. The Oil India Limited in tactical understanding with police and garden management has been acquiring crop area of the garden in a phased manner, alleged the workers.

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