Silchar: The Silcoorie Cha Bagan Adivasi Bhumi Suraksha Committee on Tuesday met the newly appointed Cachar District Commissioner, Rahul Kumar Gupta, and submitted a memorandum alleging large-scale encroachment and illegal occupation of tea garden land in the Greater Silcoorie Tea Garden area.

According to the committee, tea garden lands in Silcoorie, Dharamkhal, Borakhai and Durgakona have allegedly been forcefully occupied by outsiders. The committee also claimed that fake documents had been created by the alleged encroachers, leading to growing tension in the affected areas and raising concerns over a possible law and order situation.

The memorandum urged the District Commissioner to order an immediate inquiry and requested that the matter also be investigated through the Chief Minister’s Vigilance Cell to establish the authenticity of the allegations. The committee further appealed for an administrative inquiry to prevent any further illegal occupation of tea garden land.

The committee maintained that, under existing laws and norms, tea garden land cannot be allotted or transferred to outsiders. It stated that it would also move the court if necessary to safeguard the interests of tea garden workers.

Announcing its next course of action, the committee said it would soon organise a large citizens’ meeting at Silcoorie. The gathering is expected to be attended by workers from all four tea gardens, along with supporters and well-wishers, where the future strategy and action plan will be finalised.

The committee also announced that a delegation would soon meet Assam Chief Minister Dr. Himanta Biswa Sharma, the State Labour and Employment Minister, and other concerned authorities to seek immediate eviction of the alleged encroachers and justice for the tea garden community.

Committee president Subhash Nunia and general secretary Rajendra Nunia said they would not allow “even an inch” of tea garden land to be occupied by outsiders and pledged to continue their fight for the rights of tea garden workers.

Others present during the submission of the memorandum included Sanku Mallah, Dilip Kumar Nunia, Sunil Mohoto, Amrit Tanti and chief adviser Sanjeev Roy. Roy said the committee was prepared to pursue the matter at every level to protect the interests of the tea garden community and ensure justice.