Meghliband Tea Garden Workers accuse Tipra Motha linked miscreants of threats, attempted assault again, police allegedly failed to prevent intimidation

By Our Correspondent

Agartala, September 14, 2026

Tension has reportedly escalated at Meghliband Tea Garden in Mohanpur subdivision of Tripura following allegations that a group of Tipra Motha-linked workers and supporters threatened tea-garden employees, attempted to attack labour leaders and allegedly sought to forcefully occupy portions of the garden. Workers and local residents have now raised serious questions over the role of the police and Tripura State Rifles (TSR), alleging that the law-enforcement personnel effectively surrendered before the alleged miscreants instead of protecting the workers.

According to allegations, the trouble began when workers of the tea garden went to pluck tea leaves day before yesterday. They were allegedly obstructed and threatened by a section of Tipra Motha supporters. The situation reportedly became tense after the group allegedly entered the tea-garden area and attempted to confront labour leaders and workers.

The report alleges that several hundred tea workers, including women, men, young people and others, gathered in resistance against the alleged intimidation. Faced with the deteriorating situation, some Tipra Motha supporters reportedly left the area in their vehicles. Police personnel and TSR jawans were present at the site and were reportedly deployed to bring the situation under control.

However, workers have alleged that the security personnel failed to take effective action against those creating the disturbance. The allegation that has emerged from the incident is particularly serious: instead of asserting the authority of the law, the police allegedly appeared helpless before the Tipra Motha supporters. The workers have described the situation as one in which the administration's authority was being openly challenged.

The report further alleges that the dispute is connected with an attempt to take control of the tea-garden land. It claims that a section of workers associated with Tipra Motha had allegedly demanded that a portion of the garden land be handed over to them. The allegations have added a land-and-labour dimension to the confrontation, raising concerns among tea workers about their employment and livelihood.

The confrontation reportedly reached a point where labourers announced that they would be compelled to die rather than abandon their livelihood, while threats and counter-threats allegedly continued.

The incident has also triggered strong reactions from local residents and representatives of the Tripura Boro Khwi Samaj Unnayan Samiti. Its president, Ananta Orang, has reportedly alleged that the entire incident at Meghliband Tea Garden was pre-planned and that the objective was to create instability and disrupt the traditional relationship between the tea-garden workers and the surrounding local communities.

According to the allegations, the dispute could have wider ramifications because tea workers and their families from areas including Mohanpur, Muta, Orang, Saontal, Sabar and Bhil, along with local communities, have historically maintained social relations and peaceful coexistence. Any attempt to create divisions among these communities could therefore have consequences beyond the immediate tea garden.

The controversy has also brought political questions into the spotlight because the tea garden is reportedly owned by Tripura Legislative Assembly Deputy Speaker Ramasad Pal.

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