'Abandoned' Manjolai workers cook gruel on road

ALLEGING that they are unable to afford groceries after losing their jobs at the private tea company, former workers of the Manjolai estate gathered together and cooked gruel on the roads of Oothu, Manjolai and Naalumukku on Thursday.

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It may be noted that the private firm, whose 99-year lease period of the estate ends in 2028, had relieved its workers under VRS on June 14 this year. While the state has been taking steps to shift the workers to the plains, the latter have been demanding authorities to permit them to remain in the hills and create job opportunities there.