
Sun Jun 15 02:36:54 UTC 2025: Here’s a summary of the provided text and a rewritten version as a news article:
**Summary:**
Violence has erupted at the Auckland Jute Mill in West Bengal, leading to the mill’s closure and putting 4,000 workers out of jobs. A senior mill official was allegedly attacked by a group of workers, fueled by existing tensions between workers and management. A BJP leader accuses the ruling Trinamool Congress of instigating the violence, citing internal disputes and a breakdown of law and order. This incident highlights the ongoing challenges facing the jute industry in West Bengal, despite it being the country’s leading jute producer.
**News Article:**
**Violence Shuts Down West Bengal Jute Mill, Thousands Jobless**
**Kolkata, June 15, 2025** – The Auckland Jute Mill in North 24-Parganas, West Bengal, has suspended operations following an assault on a senior official, leaving approximately 4,000 workers without jobs. Sankar Debnath, a mill official, was allegedly attacked by a group of workers outside the mill premises on Saturday, June 14th. He was hospitalized as a result of the injuries sustained.
Reports indicate that tensions had been escalating between a section of the workers and the mill management for several days prior to the incident. Police are investigating, and CCTV footage is being reviewed.
The incident has sparked political controversy. Former Barrackpore MP and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Arjun Singh has accused the Trinamool Congress (TMC) of being responsible for the violence. Singh claimed on social media that the attack stemmed from an internal dispute among TMC-backed individuals over extortion money. He further criticized the state’s law and order situation, arguing that such incidents deter investment despite the government’s efforts to attract businesses through events like the Bengal Global Business Summit.
The jute industry in West Bengal, historically a major source of employment along the Hooghly River, has faced recurring challenges, including closures and work stoppages. A similar incident occurred approximately 10 years ago when a CEO of Northbrook jute mills was killed by agitating workers.
Despite these challenges, West Bengal remains the leading jute producer in India. In the 2023-24 fiscal year, the state recorded a yield of 2883.20 per hectare and 7865.70 bales. The Jute Corporation of India (JCI) recently increased the minimum support price (MSP) of jute to ₹5,650 per quintal for the 2025-26 crop year, aiming to protect farmers from distress sales. The incident at Auckland Jute Mill highlights the need for addressing the root causes of unrest and ensuring the sustainable operation of this vital industry.