DARJEELING,: Sumit Dewan and Prasit Rai from Margaret’s Hope Tea Garden in Kurseong sub-division were arrested late Tuesday night and produced before a court here today in a case related to road blockade for the demand of 20 per cent puja bonus.
“The two have been arrested on charges of road blockade. On September 29, they had blocked the road at Sonada for the issue of puja bonus for which the police had initiated a suo-moto case under Section 185 and 285 read with Section 8b of National Highway Act,” said APP Pankaj Prasad.
According to Prasad, due to the road blockage on that day many people were stranded with tourists and passengers missing their flights and trains. He maintained that an ambulance had also been caught in the road blockade. The APP added that the two were recognized through video footage as being behind the road blockade.
“There was a demand for a 20 per cent bonus which was later fixed at 16 per cent through an advisory of the Labour department which they got. During Diwali, they were planning to conduct a road blockade and take forward their agitation for the demand of puja bonus. After getting information about it, these two were arrested and produced to the CJM court,” he said adding that their bail application was rejected and given three days police remand.
The police have been asked to find out who else were involved in the road blockade.
On the other hand, Hamro Party-affiliated Hamro Hill Terai Dooars Chiyabari Sramik Sangh (HHTDCSS) has condemned the arrests.
In a press release, HHTDCSS president D.K. Gurung said, “The workers have the right to protest against unfair treatment. The arrests have sparked discussions about the need for fair treatment and to open dialogue between management and workers.”
Gurung also sought immediate release of the arrested individuals and urged the management to address the concerns of the workers.
