The Assam Police on Wednesday arrested two owners of a tea garden in the Numaligarh area of Golaghat district after they reportedly fired at their workers, injuring at least 10 people, the Assam Tribune reported. The injured workers have been hospitalised and are said to be out of danger, the police said.
The incident took place after a large number of workers from the Bogidhola Tea Estate had gathered outside the owners’ bungalow to protest against the management for not clearing their dues. The workers claimed that the owners, Sudhir Roy and Samir Roy, had promised to pay them their bonus by December 12 but had not done so.
The protesters allegedly burnt tyres, shouted slogans against the owners and also tried to storm the bungalow, following which the two owners opened fire on them using their licenced weapons.
Golaghat Superintendent of Police Manabendra Dev Ray said both Samir and Sudhir Roy have been taken into custody and the situation was under control. He said security has been tightened and the situation was being observed closely.
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