Alipurduar: Four labourers of a tea estate in Alipurduar district have died in the past one month since the estate declared suspension of work.
UTUC Alipurduar Secretary Nirmal Das today alleged that the workers, including a woman, died of starvation since the closure of Patkapara Tea Estate on November 17 and they did not get any government assistance.
Deputy Labour Commissioner Shyamal Dutta admitted that four workers have died, but said an investigation was required to ascertain whether their death was caused by starvation.
On the labourers not getting any assistance from the government, Dutta said according to rule, assistance is given to workers after three months of the closure and Patkapara was closed only a month ago.
The latest victim among the four was the woman, Binu Aria, who died this morning.
Das said he along with UTUC state president Ashok Ghosh visited the houses of the labourers and saw their plight.
"They are starving and dying. They received no assistance from the government. If this continues, we will move the National Human Rights Commission," he said.
The management of Patkapara Tea Estate had issued a suspension of work notice on November 17 owing to alleged indiscipline among the workers there.
