GUWAHATI: Eight more persons have been arrested in the case of ’mob lynching’ of a tea garden doctor in Jorhat district of Upper Assam, taking the number of arrests to 30.
Deben Dutta, 73, a senior medical officer of Teok Tea Estate, was allegedly beaten by an enraged group on Saturday following the death of a labourer, Somra Majhi who was under treatment at the garden hospital.
Dutta later succumbed to his injuries in Jorhat Medical College and Hospital.
As many as 22 persons were arrested and produced before the additional chief judicial magistrate’s court, Jorhat on Monday and were sent to judicial custody
Speaking to The Shillong Times on Tuesday evening, Jorhat deputy commissioner, Roshni A. Korati said eight more persons were arrested in the case. They have been sent to judicial custody.
“The situation is peaceful and under control even as the lockout of the garden continues. Today, we had a meeting with the garden management, workers union and ABITA (Assam Branch of Indian Tea Association) in regard to lifting of the lockout. Tomorrow, the workers under the banner of Assam Chah Mazdoor Sangha will be having a meeting with the garden management for reconciliation,” Korati said.
The garden management, as a precautionary measure on Sunday, declared a lockout of the tea estate owned by Amalgamated Plantations Pvt Ltd.
It may be mentioned that a magisterial inquiry led by additional deputy commissioner, Subhan Gowalla into the incident is currently under way and a report will be submitted within a week.
A three-day hearing in this regard began at the Teok revenue circle office on Tuesday.