Protest Erupts Over Tendering of Mijika Tea Estate Market

Tensions Rise in Mijika Tea Estate

Biswanath, Oct 7: A significant protest unfolded at Mijika Tea Estate in Biswanath on Wednesday, as over 300 tea workers, both men and women, gathered to encircle the residence of Biswanath MLA Pallab Lochan Das in Pabhai. The demonstration was sparked by the announcement of a tender for a weekly market.

The demonstrators claimed that the Mijika Sunday Market, which has been a staple since the 1980s, was being tendered despite strong opposition from local residents and tea workers.

One protester mentioned that they had previously approached the MLA and submitted a memorandum requesting him to halt the tendering process for the market.

“It is disheartening to see MLA Das, who belongs to our community, tendering our land where our weekly market is held,” the protester expressed.

According to the protesters, the market has been overseen by local youth from Mijika village for nearly half a century, providing essential livelihoods for many in the area.

“For 40 to 50 years, this market has never been tendered before. We are uncertain about Das's intentions, but we have already met with him and submitted a memorandum opposing this decision,” another protester added.

The protesters discovered a notification regarding the tender, which prompted the demonstration on Wednesday.

They demanded the cancellation of the tender process and declared a shutdown of the tea garden in protest.

“We did not elect him as MLA to tender our markets; we expect him to secure land pattas for us. The tender must be revoked. Hence, we have initiated a complete closure of the tea garden and a strike today,” stated another protester.

Reports indicated that the MLA was not present at his residence when the protesters arrived.

A woman from the tea garden community expressed that residents were particularly distressed because the market had been run by local families for generations.

“Our fathers and forefathers managed the market without issues for years, but now it is being taken from us. MLAs used to visit our homes during elections for votes, but now that we need them, he is absent. This has forced us to take to the streets,” she lamented.

Eventually, the situation calmed down after individuals close to the MLA engaged with the protesters.

Another protester mentioned that the MLA’s personal assistant assured them that the tender would not proceed.

“The tender must be canceled, or the situation in Mijika could become tense. The MLA’s PA has promised us that the tender will not go forward and is currently being canceled,” the protester stated.

This protest comes less than six months after Das assumed office as an MLA and has drawn renewed attention to the tendering of the long-established weekly market in Mijika.