Plantation labourer''s death triggers protest

Jalpaiguri (WB), Feb 13 (PTI) The death of a labourerat a closed tea estate in remote Kathalguri area of Jalpaiguridistrict today triggered tension with his family claiming thedeath was caused by malnutrition.

Official sources said Bhadua Asur died of renalfailure after being admitted to Jalpaiguri hospital forseveral days.

However, Asur''s elder brother as well as otherlabourers claimed the 28-year old practically had nothing toeat for past several days and had to be shifted to farawayhospital after he was unable to move.

With the plantation closed for long, the workers hadnot been getting the wages while drinking water and ration hadalso been stopped with no medical facility at hand, theyalleged.

Some of the labourers went to the management''s officedemanding an explanation for Asur''s death but were allegedlydriven away.

The management had closed the tea garden in pastciting economic unviability.