Clash Erupts Over Land Dispute at Golaghat Tea Estate

Violent Confrontation at Makrong Tea Estate

Golaghat, Apr 3: A violent altercation occurred early Friday at the Makrong Tea Estate in Golaghat district, sparked by allegations of land encroachment involving two rival groups.

During the clash, Jiten Chawtal, the tea garden's secretary, suffered severe injuries and is currently receiving medical care at Golaghat Civil Hospital.

The conflict reportedly began when an attempt was made to illegally occupy part of the tea estate's land.

Two individuals, Phukan Nayak and Kamal Kachari, allegedly encroached upon a section of Division No. 28, erecting a bamboo fence around the area.

Upon discovering the encroachment, the management of the tea estate intervened, with the garden committee's president and secretary instructing the accused to dismantle the fence.

However, tensions escalated when Nayak and Kachari reportedly attacked committee president Mahesh Tanti and the secretary with sharp objects.

A local resident revealed that the issue was uncovered during a routine inspection by the estate manager.

“The manager frequently checks the area, especially during the rainy season. On one such visit, he spotted the newly erected boundary and promptly alerted the president and secretary. When they went to investigate, they were attacked,” the resident recounted.

In the aftermath of the incident, tensions heightened at the tea estate, with numerous workers gathering to remove the encroaching fence.

“We have cleared all the bamboo fencing and will return it to the company. This is not the first occurrence; similar attempts have been made previously,” he stated.

A formal complaint has been filed against the accused at Merapani Police Station.

Meanwhile, when police attempted to apprehend the suspects, they were reportedly assaulted by an angry crowd, further complicating the situation.