Develop Sunsali TE land as tourists' spot: Dispur MLA

By our Staff Reporter

GUWAHATI, Sept 9: Dispur MLA Atul Bora today visited 50-bighat Old Sunsali Tea Estate in the Noonmati area in the city near the Brahmaputra – which was once owned by Domren Right but its ownership at present is shrouded in mystery – and demanded of Dispur to develop the land as a tourists’ spot.

Talking to newsmen after his visit to the area, Bora said: “I’ve written letters to the Chief Minister, the Revenue Minister and the Tourism Minister of the State to develop the land as tourists’ spot. The matter of ownership of the land is something the court is finding out now. One Ajit Barkakati claims the ownership of the land, and he’s contested by two others – Jakir Hussain Sikdar and Jahir Hussain Sikdar – who forged documents to show the ownership of the land with them. However, neither of the parties has valid documents to prove their claims. Around 50 bighas of the TE land have been under the occupation of the local people for a long. I request the government to issue them land pattas and settle them.”

Bora further said: “In 1986 the real owner Mr. Domren was invited to Jata Bhawan and requested to hand over the land to the government against a suitable value. Three sittings were held for the purpose with the then Revenue Minister Thansewar Boro, Labour Minister Barki Prasad Telenga under my initiative. We did include 137 tea workers who had become unemployed with the TE stopping its operation as the factory of the TE was out of order. Due to no regular pruning, the tea plants were very tall. We decided to develop the TE as a model estate so as to woo tourists. However, due to various reasons the matter failed to materialize.”