Historic move addresses landlessness dating back to British era; enthusiastic turnout reported across Hailakandi district.
In a significant development addressing decades of land insecurity, the state government on Monday commenced the distribution of land settlement forms to workers across five tea gardens under the Katlicherra Revenue Circle in Hailakandi district. The initiative marks a pivotal step toward granting permanent land rights to the tea community.
The drive saw a massive turnout of beneficiaries, with workers gathering in large numbers to receive the official documents. To ensure the systematic finalization of the settlement process, authorities have constituted a five-member committee. This panel will be chaired by the respective Circle Officer and will include the garden manager along with three distinguished local citizens from each garden.
Leadership and Administration on Ground
The distribution ceremony was attended by key administrative officials, including the South Hailakandi Block Development Officer, alongside senior BJP leaders. A major distribution event was organized at the Netaji Bhavan of the Manipur Tea Garden, where forms were formally handed over to the workers.
Simultaneously, events were held across other panchayats. BJP District President Kalyan Goswami oversaw the proceedings at the Sonacherra and Rupacherra Gaon Panchayats. At the Dholai Tea Garden, District Council Member Biplab Abasti was present to interact with the workers, while District Council Member Pampa Rani Das attended the program in Katlicherra. Other party leaders addressed similar gatherings at the Manipur and Sultanicherra gardens.
Addressing Historical Injustice
Addressing the gatherings, the leaders emphasized that this initiative fulfills a long-standing demand of the tea community. They noted that since the British era, these workers have lived in garden quarters or on garden land solely in exchange for their labor, remaining effectively landless for generations. This new settlement process aims to legally secure their right to permanent residence.
Speakers at the events lauded the dual leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, crediting the state’s various welfare schemes for uplifting the tea tribe community. Local residents expressed palpable enthusiasm, viewing the document distribution as the beginning of a new chapter in their lives.