Greenfield Airport: Public hearing at Dolu tea estate failed

A CORRESPONDENT

SILCHAR: The handing over of land for the proposed greenfield airport at Dolu TE took another complex turn as the labourers in clear terms told the emissaries of the Cachar district administration that in no way they would leave their cultivable land. The firm stand of the labourers of Mainagarh and Lalbagh, two divisions of Dolu TE virtually compelled the Assistant Labour Commissioner Barnali Changkakoti and Silchar Sadar Circle Officer Kumar Gaurab Das to wrap up the public hearing held at 'Nachghar' of the garden. Cachar DC Keerthi Jalli had reportedly asked Changkakoti to sit with the Asom Majuri Shramik Union, the organisation which was steering the labour agitation. However, a section of officers had reservations with the credibility of Shramik Union.

On Friday, the administration's emissaries reached Mainagarh with a heavy police force. But the hearing lasted for less than half an hour as the labourers in categorical terms informed the administration that they were ready to die but would no way leave the garden.

The government had decided to set up a greenfield airport at Dolu TE near Silchar. 2500 acres of land was earmarked for the project. It was agreed that the government would pay Rs. 50 crores to the tea estate. Subsequently an MoU was signed and all three recognised labour unions, affiliated to three political parties witnessed the agreement. It was assumed that labourers were taken into confidence.

But the situation started to take a complex turn when the administration and TE authority began the process of demarcation. Agitating labourers vehemently protested the demarcation exercise and the officials had to leave the garden.

The entry of Asom Majuri Shramik Union into the episode was significant enough. District administration first refused to recognise the Shramik Union but interestingly, agreed to publish the MoU in public domain as demanded by the union. Even the administration readily agreed to convene a public hearing as sought by Shramik Union.

Sources said, the labourers were suspicious about the deal as even much before the demarcation exercise started the garden authority had reportedly shifted them to another place. Further, Shramik Union pointed out that there was no specific clause regarding the payment of pending dues and PF of the labourers.

Also Read:  Congress, ATSA threaten agitation against proposed airport at Dolu

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