Protests Erupt in Dibrugarh Over Alleged Encroachment of Tea Estate Lands
Demonstration by Assam Tea Tribes Students’ Association
Members of AATSA protesting in Dibrugarh
Dibrugarh, Sept 17: On September 15, the district chapter of the Assam Tea Tribes Students’ Association (ATTSA) organized a protest outside the District Commissioner’s office, demanding urgent action to halt the alleged illegal sale, encroachment, and commercialization of tea estate lands across various locations in the district.
The demonstrators presented a memorandum to the District Commissioner, calling for a thorough investigation into what they termed a rising threat to the traditional tea-producing lands of nine estates, including Kharjan, South Jalan Nagar, Triveni, Bijlibari, Ghograjan, Hatigarh, Bakel, Suraj, and Sourav, along with the Lepetkata tea estate.
According to ATTSA, certain industrial interests, land brokers, and suspected land mafias are attempting to acquire and exploit tea estate lands by subdividing them into plots for illegal sale. The organization warned that if the situation is not addressed swiftly, they would escalate their protests in Dibrugarh.
Specifically regarding Kharjan tea estate, ATTSA claimed that approximately 200 bighas of tea-tenanted land are being eyed for non-tea-related construction projects. They demanded an immediate cessation of such activities and the planting of tea saplings on any vacant land. Additionally, they called for the eviction of alleged encroachers from the Chabua Golf Field area within the estate.
In the case of South Jalan Nagar tea estate, the students’ organization alleged that tea and Sirish trees are being cut down, and the land is being subdivided and sold despite a ban from the administration. They also claimed that tea plants have been uprooted to make way for turmeric farming and the construction of facilities like a hotel and hospital. ATTSA insisted that these activities must be halted and tea cultivation reinstated.
Serious allegations were also made regarding Triveni tea estate under the Tengakhat Revenue Circle, where ATTSA claimed that around 330 bighas of tea-tenanted land had been transferred to a land broker, who then subdivided and sold it after removing the tea bushes. They demanded immediate administrative intervention to stop the alleged commercialization of this area.
Concerning Bijlibari tea estate, ATTSA alleged that hundreds of bighas of NLR grant land are being sold illegally in plots with the collusion of land brokers. They called for an immediate halt to these transactions and accountability for those involved.
The association further alleged that the tea-bearing land of Ghograjan tea estate has been subdivided and sold in violation of existing regulations, with outsiders reportedly purchasing parts of the garden land and changing its use. Similar claims of illegal land sales were made regarding Hatigarh tea estate, where ATTSA demanded urgent administrative action. They also sought the eviction of alleged encroachers from hundreds of bighas of tea-tenanted land at Bokel tea estate.
In a separate demand related to Suraj tea estate, ATTSA alleged that Rs 70 lakh in compensation intended for the estate due to National Highway expansion was withdrawn from the District Commissioner’s office by two alleged land mafias instead of the rightful owner. They called for a high-level inquiry into this matter and the restoration of tea cultivation on approximately 75 bighas of land that they claim is under their control.
For Sourav tea estate in the Dibrugarh East Revenue Circle, ATTSA demanded a high-level investigation into how tea estate land was allegedly permitted to be divided and sold in violation of land laws, urging an immediate stop to these transactions.
The organization also opposed plans for developing tea tourism and constructing a five-star hotel on about 330 bighas of land at Lepetkata tea estate, where tea bushes have reportedly been uprooted. They demanded that construction be halted and tea saplings replanted on the site.
Bimal Bagh, president of ATTSA Dibrugarh district, and secretary Sonu Orang signed the memorandum, urging the district administration to take swift action to safeguard tea estate lands from alleged encroachments, illegal transactions, and diversion from tea cultivation.
The students’ organization emphasized that protecting tea-bearing land is crucial not only for the tea industry but also for the livelihoods and long-term welfare of thousands of tea garden workers and their families.