Dolu Tea Estate workers observe Black Day to protest forced land acquisition for Silchar airport. Legal battle continues in NGT and High Court.
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| Dolu Tea Estate workers wearing black badges to protest land acquisition. |
Silchar : On May 12, the air at Dolu Tea Estate in Cachar district was heavy with memories of a painful past. Hundreds of tea garden workers wore black badges to observe 'Black Day,' marking the anniversary of the controversial 2022 land acquisition.
The protest commemorates the day when nearly 2,500 bighas of fertile land were cleared using bulldozers under the protection of heavy security forces to pave the way for a proposed Greenfield Airport in Silchar. The move left thousands of workers jobless and uncertain about their future.
A Betrayal of Trust and Legal Battle
The Assam Mazuri Shramik Union (AMSU) has alleged that the acquisition was a result of a secret pact between management and certain unions, keeping the workers in the dark.
"This is a struggle for our very existence. We will not move an inch until justice is served," stated the protesting workers during a meeting led by leaders like Anjali Tanti and Indrajit Teli.
The legal battle has now reached the National Green Tribunal (NGT). Environmental activists have recently filed a fresh complaint on May 24, 2026, alleging that the environmental clearance reports violated Supreme Court guidelines by ignoring the impact of felling 4 million tea bushes.
Despite Section 144 and administrative pressure, the Dolu workers remain steadfast. They continue to demand the restoration of their livelihood, as the case remains sub-judice in the Gauhati High Court.
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