Tragic Accident at Jorhat Tea Estate Sparks Worker Protests

A devastating accident at the Kotalgoorie Tea Estate in Jorhat has resulted in the death of a worker and serious injuries to five others. This incident has sparked protests among workers who are demanding accountability from management and improved safety measures. The accident was attributed to the poor condition of internal roads and the use of outdated vehicles. As the community rallies for justice, the President of the Jorhat Tea Labour Union has condemned the negligence and called for a thorough investigation into the incident. Read on to learn more about the workers' demands and the response from the estate management.

By Narendra Chaudhary Jun 23, 2025, 17:07 IST

Accident at Kotalgoorie Tea Estate

Jorhat, June 23: A tragic incident at the Kotalgoorie Tea Estate in Mariani, Jorhat, resulted in the death of a tea garden worker and left five others with serious injuries, igniting protests among workers who are demanding accountability and enhanced safety protocols.

The accident took place in Section No. 2 of the estate when an overloaded vehicle, which was transporting raw tea leaves, lost control and overturned.

Several workers, who were also passengers in the vehicle, suffered severe injuries. Deepak Prasad was among them and tragically passed away while being transported to the Jorhat Medical College and Hospital (JMCH).

Local residents and workers have pointed to two main reasons for the accident: the poor state of the internal roads within the estate and the use of outdated vehicles for transporting goods and personnel. The lack of an ambulance during the emergency further fueled public anger.

Following the incident, workers gathered to protest outside the estate’s administrative office, accusing both the management and local authorities of negligence and failing to provide essential safety measures.

“The internal roads are in dire condition, and the vehicles are decades old. There’s no proper transport, no ambulance — how long must we endure this neglect?” expressed one protester.

Maheshwar Gowala, President of the Jorhat Tea Labour Union, expressed his sorrow over the incident, labeling it “heartbreaking.”

“I didn’t see it happen, but from what I’ve heard, the overloaded vehicle skidded near a drain. Four workers managed to escape, but one fell and was tragically crushed under the weight of the tea leaf sacks,” Gowala recounted.

He confirmed that the vehicle involved was outdated and unsuitable for such transportation tasks.

“The vehicle was clearly too old. We will carry out a comprehensive investigation, and if the management is found liable, we will seek justice and appropriate compensation for the affected workers,” he stated.