Tea workers in Moulvibazar have been protesting for the past five days, demanding the immediate reopening of Camellia Duncan Foundation Hospital, which has remained closed for nearly one and a half months following the death of a tea worker’s daughter.
The hospital in Kamalganj upazila is the only source of medical care for hundreds of thousands of tea workers and their families. Its closure has left many facing severe hardship without access to essential treatment.
Locals said human chains and protest rallies have been held in various parts of Moulvibazar for the last four consecutive days. Protesters have also demanded a fair, transparent, and impartial investigation into the death of 13-year-old Oishee Rabidas, a student from Shamshernagar Tea Garden in Kamalganj upazila.
This morning, hundreds of tea workers staged a human chain and rally at Alinagor Tea Garden. The programme was jointly organised by panchayats, workers, students, and youths from Shamshernagar, Kanihati, Baghichhara, Deochhara, and Doublechhara tea gardens.
On Wednesday, a protest was held in front of the Shamshernagar Tea Garden factory, while another was organised by the Bangladesh Dalit and Deprived People’s Rights Movement (BDERM) at the Moulvibazar Press Club. Additional rallies took place at Doublechhara Tea Garden on Thursday and Alinagor Tea Garden on Friday.
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Photo: Star
Meanwhile, BDERM leaders submitted memorandums to the deputy commissioner and the police superintendent.
During the protests, speakers alleged that Oishee Rabidas, daughter of tea worker Babul Rabidas, fell ill on the night of March 26 and was admitted to Camellia Hospital, where she died the following morning.
Following her death, an agitated group of workers briefly confined doctors and hospital staff. Although the situation was later brought under control, the hospital authorities suspended medical services, citing security concerns, which remain unresolved.
Tea worker leader Sitaram Bin said the closure has left nearly 100,000 workers and their families from 35 tea gardens in Kamalganj and nearby areas without access to essential healthcare.
Former Bangladesh Tea Workers’ Union general secretary Rambhajan Koiri said if the hospital is not reopened soon, tougher protest programmes will be announced.
Shipon Kumar Rabidas, general secretary of the BDERM central committee, said some people, deprived of treatment due to the hospital’s closure, have developed resentment toward Oishee’s family, placing them under significant social and mental pressure. He added that Oishee’s grandmother, Sukhiya Rabidas, recently died after struggling to cope with her granddaughter’s death.
“The family also wants the hospital reopened, but spreading hatred against them is unacceptable,” he said.
The hospital is managed directly from England and the administration is awaiting a final decision.
Shamshernagar Tea Garden Manager and Duncan Brothers Deputy General Manager Md Kamruzzaman declined to comment.
Kamalganj Upazila Nirbahi Officer Md Asaduzzaman said discussions with the authorities are ongoing and steps will be taken to reopen the hospital as soon as possible.
