Now, another TMC leader accused of threatening jute mill workers

HOWRAH: Workers of Hanuman Jute Mill lodged a written complaint against local Trinamool Congress leader Tapas Ghosh on Wednesday for allegedly threatening them to work for 11 hours, three hours more than the scheduled eight hours.

Hanuman Jute Mill at Ghusuri under Malipanchghara police station was closed for a long time before it reopened on April 29.

According to mill workers, on April 28, Trinamool leaders had a deal with the mill authorities after which, it was decided that workers will have to work for 11 hours.

"We were forced to work for 11 hours after the meeting. Moreover, the mill started running in two shifts instead of three shifts and all the casual workers were shown the door. This was taking a toll on our health," said mill worker Manoj Kanoria. Later, when the Trinamool leaders turned down their plea to minimize the working hours, workers stopped going to the mill from June 17. "We appealed to the mill authorities and Trinamool leaders but none were ready to listen to our problems and so we stopped going to the mill," Kanoria said.

On Wednesday, the workers during a demonstration in front of additional deputy commissioner (North) Shibani Tiwari's office alleged that after June 17, Trinamool workers led by union leader Tapas Ghosh started threatening them with sticks and iron rods. "They threatened us to resume work failing which, they would burn our houses," a worker said.

Trinamool MLA from North Howrah Ashoke Ghosh refuted the allegation. "It is true that they were asked to work for 11 hours but we are trying to make it eight. There is no question of threatening them," Ghosh said.

Shibani Tiwari said, "We have received a complaint and we will investigate into the matter.

Meanwhile, workers of Nafarchand jute mill in Kakinada stopped working on Wednesday as their demand for five-days-a-week was not met.

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