Two more tea garden workers die at Bagrakote

Two workers of a tea garden at Bagrakote in Jalpaiguri owned by the Duncans Group died on Sunday night. 

It may be mentioned that Duncans Group owner GP Goenka is yet to take any constructive step to revive the present condition of the tea gardens despite being directed by the state government. 

The victims Pratima Orao (60) and Kostu Orao (57) were suffering from various ailments for the past few days. Pratima was under treatment at the quarter of tea garden workers. The district administration has formed team of doctors to take care of tea garden workers. 

Kostu was undergoing treatment at North Bengal Medical College and Hospital. Initially she was admitted in Mal Hospital. Later she was shifted to North Bengal Medical College and Hospital as her condition deteriorated. 

Both of their conditions deteriorated since Sunday morning. However, the doctors tried desperately to save their lives. 

Family members of the duo alleged that they were under severe financial crunch which led to scarcity of food for all of them. Their family members had even failed to arrange money for a better treatment when it was needed at the initial stage of their illness. 

It may be mentioned that around 25 workers of the tea garden died in the past three months. 

Local residents on Monday staged a protesting against the owner over his reluctance to revive the condition of tea gardens.  

Tea garden owners had not even stated any proper reason before closing the gardens without clearing dues of the workers. In many cases officials of the tea gardens even refuse to meet the workers if they ask for any sort of help after a garden is closed.