Panighata Tea Estate workers begin hunger strike for reopening

PRASHANT ACHARYA

SILIGURI,: Workers of the closed Panighata Tea Estate, located 25 km from Siliguri in Mirik block, have started an indefinite relay hunger strike demanding the reopening of the estate.

The tea garden has been shut since October 10, 2015 after owner Shankar Sharaf cited financial losses and worker indiscipline as reasons for abandoning it.

The hunger strike, which started on Sunday afternoon, is led mainly by women workers who are appealing for Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee’s intervention. While supporters of the Bimal Gurung faction and BJP have joined the movement, Trinamool Congress leaders have so far remained absent and have not commented on the situation.

Nawraj Chhetri, a Trinamool supporter and leader of Bharatiya Gorkha Prajatantrik Morcha, acknowledged the workers’ demands but said the estate’s massive debts and ruined factory conditions have deterred both the former owner and potential buyers. “Workers need immediate financial support, and leaders from all parties must unite to address this issue,” he said.

BJP trade union leader Kishore Pradhan emphasized the severe financial crisis faced by workers over the past decade and called for government intervention.

Similarly, GJM leader Raju Bhatta highlighted the tragic loss of over a dozen workers due to lack of treatment and financial hardships. He added, “The State’s FAWLOI scheme is insufficient. The government must find a permanent solution to reopen the garden.”