After Land Law Amendment Tea Garden Land Encroachment Race Begins Across Tripura, Workers Protest Cutting of Tea Plants in Name of Playground

By Our Correspondent

Agartala, September 10, 2026

Soon after the Tripura Legislative Assembly passed the Tripura Land Revenue and Land Reforms (Fourteenth Amendment) Bill, 2026, concerns are beginning to emerge over the possible misuse of provisions relating to the utilisation of tea garden land. Across Tripura, questions are being raised about whether the amendment could encourage attempts to occupy or divert tea garden land for purposes other than tea cultivation. A fresh controversy has now erupted at Meghlibon Tea Garden in West Tripura, where tea workers have alleged an attempt to grab garden land in the name of constructing a playground and accused a group of tribal youths of cutting down hundreds of tea plants and saplings.

The incident has created considerable concern among tea garden workers, who fear that continued encroachment and destruction of tea plantations could seriously affect production and threaten the livelihood of workers and their families. The workers have also alleged that they are being prevented from entering portions of the garden to pluck tea leaves and have allegedly been threatened with serious consequences if they enter the disputed area.

According to the workers of Meghlibon Tea Garden, on September 8, several individuals allegedly attempted to occupy a portion of the garden land near the Nutanbazar area. During the alleged incident, around 300 to 350 tea plants and saplings were reportedly cut down. The workers have named several individuals whom they suspect of being involved in the incident in their written complaint submitted to the administration.

The workers further alleged that when they subsequently attempted to enter the area as part of their regular duties to pluck tea leaves, some local residents allegedly prevented them from entering the tea garden land. They also claimed that threats were issued against them, creating an atmosphere of fear and insecurity among the workers.

The workers approached the District Magistrate of West Tripura on Wednesday and submitted a written deputation seeking an immediate investigation into the incident and legal action against those responsible. They also sought protection for tea garden workers and demanded measures to prevent further attempts to occupy garden land or destroy tea plants.

The workers warned that if such incidents continue, the consequences could extend beyond the immediate loss of tea plants.

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