Kaliabor tea garden workers thank Assam CM for granting land rights, protest against Akhil Gogoi

Tea garden workers from different estates in Kaliabor, Assam expressed gratitude to Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma for granting land rights to the tea garden workers while also protesting against Sivasagar MLA and Raijor Dal chief Akhil Gogoi.

Tea workers of Kaliabor, along with members of the Nagaon district unit of the Assam Chah Mazdoor Sangha, expressed their gratitude to the Chief Minister for announcing the distribution of land pattas to tea labourers — a long-standing demand of the community. They hailed the move as a historic step toward securing their land rights and ensuring social security for future generations.

However, in a sharp counterreaction, workers of the Sonari Tea Estate staged a vocal protest against Sivasagar MLA Akhil Gogoi. Chanting “Akhil Gogoi Murdabad”, the demonstrators alleged that the legislator was attempting to undermine the government’s initiative. Protesters burnt his effigy inside the tea garden, accusing him of spreading misinformation and acting against the interests of tea workers.

The contrasting scenes underline the current political tension within the tea tribes of the region, as stakeholders remain divided over the roles of state leadership and opposition figures in addressing workers’ welfare.

The Assam Assembly this evening passed a landmark bill aimed at granting land rights to tea garden workers, despite opposition MLAs raising concerns over the details of the legislation.

The Assam Fixation of Ceiling on Land Holding (Amendment) Bill, 2025, has been passed, paving the way for thousands of tea garden workers residing in the labour lines to receive land pattas (title deeds) and ownership rights.

The passage of the bill is highly significant given that the tea garden community decides the fate of approximately 35 out of the total 126 constituencies in poll-bound Assam, making its timing crucial ahead of next year's Assembly polls. Over 80 lakh people are associated with the state's 200-year-old tea industry.

Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma hailed the move as a major victory for the community, adding, "This is a historic moment in the Assam Legislative Assembly, where land pattas will be given to 3 lakh families of the tea tribe community. At such an important moment, everyone now recognises the intentions behind these disruptive actions."