Kaliabor: The Assam Tea Tribes Students' Association (ATTSA) staged protests at two tea estates in Kaliabor on November 7, accusing the BJP-led Assam government of failing to fulfil its promises to tea garden workers.
The protests were held at Kaliabor Tea Estate in Silghat and Jagadamba Tea Estate in Kuthri. Members of the organisation raised demands related to land rights, wage revision and Scheduled Tribe (ST) status for the tea community.
At Kaliabor Tea Estate in Silghat, ATTSA members held a two-hour sit-in protest early in the morning. The organisation alleged that the BJP had sought electoral support from tea garden workers by promising land pattas and higher wages but had failed to fulfil those assurances after coming to power.
Meanwhile, the Kuthri sub-branch of ATTSA staged a demonstration outside the factory at Jagadamba Tea Estate. Protesters pressed for land ownership rights for tea workers, ST status for the community and an increase in daily wages.
During the protests, slogans were raised against Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, Kaliabor MLA Keshab Mahanta, the Assam government and the state Labour Minister.
Following the demonstration at Jagadamba Tea Estate, ATTSA submitted a memorandum to the estate manager, reiterating its demands.
