More than 500 workers staged a sit-in protest against the closure of various estates, including Cinchona, Periyakallar, Chinnakallar, Ryan Division and Pathanpathi which fall under the TANTEA near Valparai.
Coimbatore: The Estate Management has announced that they have received a communication from the TANTEA Coonoor office to close down the estates of Cinchona, Periyakallar, Chinnakallar, Ryan Division and Pathanpathi which fall under the TANTEA Club near Valparai.
The Estate Management Manager had reportedly told the Valparai MLA that there was no official communication from the officials of the TANTEA estate management yet. Officials stated that those above 50 years of age should take voluntary retirement and those below 50 years of age should work in the estate areas under the TANTEA management in Coonoor and Gudalur areas.
Following this, over 500 workers gheraoed the Estate office near Valparai and staged a protest.
"We have been working here for a long time with more than 500 people on this estate. If the estate is closed, our livelihood will be affected," lamented the workers.
Since the estate officials did not reply to their queries, the workers laid siege to the office and staged a protest amidst pouring rain, for a long time.