ULFA (I) demands Kolkata-based tea company to shift offices to Assam & recruit locals

GUWAHATI: After New Delhi-based Quippo Oil and Gas Infrastructure Limited, the proscribed ULFA(I) has now planted its sights on the Kolkata-headquartered Amalgamated Plantations Pvt Ltd, a leading tea producing company in the country.

The non-talks faction of the ULFA(I) on Thursday served a notice to a leading tea company demanding immediate relocation of all its administrative offices to Assam and recruitment of indigenous people of the state, failing which it will be "prevented from doing business in Assam".

The United Liberation Front of Asom (Independent) gave the notice to Amalgamated Plantations Pvt Ltd through an emailed statement sent to a number of media houses.

The APPL head office is in Kolkata and its corporate office is in Guwahati.

In the notice, self-styled ''Capt'' Rumel Asom said, "The United Liberation Front of Asom (Independent) has taken note of ... management of the tea estates in Assam under your ownership. We appreciate that you are in the business of making profit and to that end you must devise your corporate planning. However, you have heavy responsibilities to the land and her people."

It further pointed out that "your head office outside Assam where no indigenous personnel from Assam is in employment. The liaison office is also not in Assam."

ULFA(I) through its email said "We are aware you are recruiting your workers from outside Assam" instead of employing local youth and warned that this was "contrary to the spirit of Win, Win'' relationship" between corporates and the state.

ULFA(I) went on to warn that company officials will not be allowed to travel in Assam, and APPL may face "ruin" by "forcing the closure of tea gardens."

According to the company website, it is the second-largest tea producer in the country.

Follow us on Facebook