AGARTALA: Allegations have surfaced against Tipra Motha workers of undertaking an initiative to cut down tea bushes on tea garden land to build a playground, allegedly undermining the interests of tea garden workers. Tea workers from the concerned area have expressed anger over the incident.
The land at the centre of the allegation is tea garden land in the Simna–Megli forest area. Workers claim that although the land in question belongs to MLA Ramprasad Paul personally, the area is located far from the town. They allege that if tea bushes are cut down there to build a large playground, the livelihoods of tea garden workers would be severely affected.
Workers said many families depend on the tea garden’s bushes for their livelihood. Therefore, cutting down tea bushes to build a playground would not only damage the garden but also put their employment and future at risk.
A delegation of workers raised the matter with West Tripura District Magistrate Dr. Vishal Kumar and demanded that necessary action be taken.
Speaking to journalists afterward, the workers said swift administrative intervention was needed to protect the tea garden and safeguard workers’ livelihoods. They also demanded that the initiative to cut tea bushes for a playground be halted and the matter investigated.