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Union leaders rain blows on Bata's MD until he bleeds

Bata Managing Director Keith Weston was severely assaulted by the company union leaders at the Batanagar factory near Calcutta.

The police said the incident occurred when Weston allegedly refused to give a patient hearing to the union leaders, who demanded revocation of the suspension of their comrades. A fisticuff ensued between the leaders and Weston in which the latter was roughed up and started bleeding profusely.

However, the mediation of some other Bata officers prevented the incident from going out of control. Even Bata's senior vice-president A M Zed Mowla, who came forward to intervene, was not spared.

Weston was hospitalised with a two-inch-deep gash on his hand.

Meanwhile, the workers union alleged that one of its leaders sustained severe injuries.

A first information report had been lodged with Maheshtala police station against the accused.

West Bengal Chief Minister Jyoti Basu condemned the incident and described it as ''uncivilised''. The state trade union leaders have also criticised the incident.

The company management had decided to terminate the services of three union leaders for the assault.

However, the union had threatened that if the three were dismissed, a strike would be called in the factory.

A posse of police has been posted at the factory gate to prevent recurrence of violence.

UNI