'Sudden' lockout declared in Assam tea garden; 500 workers in agitation

About 500 labourers of a tea garden in Assam's Hailakandi district have launched an agitation after the authorities allegedly declared a sudden suspension of operation.

The workers of Gaglacherra tea garden, located about 20 kilometres from Hailakandi town, have been protesting against the garden authorities' decision since Thursday following the lockout declared on the previous day.

Local administration officials as well as a tea association have initiated steps to sort out the matter between the two sides.

A team of officials, comprising magistrate Jhintu Bora and labour officer PK Malakar, visited the garden on Friday and assured the labourers of taking up the matter with the district deputy commissioner.

The garden authorities could not be contacted.

President of the local panchayat Radheshyam Kurmi alleged that the tea estate authorities secretly put up the lockout notice on Wednesday night and left the premise.

Thursday was the payment day and the authorities fleeing in thi