“Bangladeshis Took Our Land”: Encroachment Claims Rock Silcoorie Tea Garden

Allegations of large-scale encroachment on tea garden land by suspected illegal settlers have surfaced in Cachar district, with local residents and tea garden workers claiming that hundreds of bighas of land belonging to Silcoorie Tea Garden have been occupied over the past several years.

According to local residents, between 300 and 400 bighas of land in the Dharmakhal area of the tea estate have allegedly been encroached upon. They claim that numerous permanent and temporary houses have been built on the land and that fish farms, poultry farms and pig farms have also been established in the area.

Several residents alleged that many of the settlers arrived in the area within the last few years and occupied tea garden land. Some claimed that the occupants identified themselves as land buyers and stated that they had obtained no-objection certificates (NOCs). Residents further alleged that local land brokers facilitated the sale of small plots of land and provided shelter to the settlers.

Some locals described the settlers as Bangladeshi nationals, although no official verification of their nationality has been made public. Residents also alleged that the occupants now have access to electricity, roads and shops and that disputes over land ownership have begun to emerge between the newcomers and long-time residents.

Speaking on the issue, O.P. Singh, General Manager of Silcoorie Tea Garden, said that some occupants had reportedly been granted NOCs by the previous management. However, he alleged that in certain cases, individuals who were permitted to occupy smaller portions of land later expanded their holdings beyond the approved area.

He stated that the matter concerns land belonging to the PF Department and clarified that the tea garden management is functioning only as a receiver of the property. According to Singh, any action regarding the alleged encroachment would require permission from the PF Department.

Singh further said that refugee families from Bangladesh had reportedly been settled in the area in the past and that the number of households has increased over time. He estimated that there are currently around 100 to 150 houses in the disputed area. He also expressed suspicion that some electricity connections may have been obtained through unauthorised means, though he did not provide specific evidence.

The allegations have generated concern among tea garden workers and local residents, who fear the continued loss of tea garden land and its possible impact on the area. They have called for an official investigation into the matter and urged the state government to examine the allegations and take appropriate action if any irregularities are found.