North 24 Parganas, 15 June (H.S.): Auckland Jute Mill located at Bhatpara-Jagaddal in North 24-Parganas district, suspended operations for an indefinite period, leaving over 3,500 workers jobless. The indefinite shutdown was declared on Saturday after the production manager of the mill was allegedly attacked by a group of outsiders around 5.30 am, sparking labour unrest.
Shankar Debnath, the production manager, sustained serious injuries after being assaulted with bamboo sticks inside the mill premises early on Saturday morning. He is currently undergoing treatment at a private hospital off EM Bypass.
The police have arrested one suspect, Avishek Chowdhury, and detained a juvenile, with raids ongoing to apprehend others identified in CCTV footage, according to DCP (North) Ganesh Biswas. Workers, finding the mill’s main gate locked with a suspension notice, protested the attack and closure, prompting heavy police deployment, including RAF and Combat Force, to maintain order. A senior mill official stated that production was halted due to the unrest, with operations suspended until normalcy is restored.
---------------
Hindusthan Samachar / Priyanka Pandey
