A significant meeting convened at Subang Tea Garden in Cachar district on 11 December, where the Barak Valley Adivasi Union renewed its call for stronger political representation and urgent redressal of long-standing issues faced by tea garden workers in the region. The gathering, held at the garden’s dance hall, drew a large turnout of workers who deliberated on persistent socio-economic challenges across the tea estates.
Union leaders reiterated their demand that Adivasi candidates be fielded in all seven Assembly constituencies of the Barak Valley, arguing that political underrepresentation has contributed to the prolonged neglect of the community. They stated that workers continue to grapple with inadequate access to education, healthcare, drinking water and other essential development needs.
Speakers at the meeting alleged that tea garden workers have been subjected to systemic exploitation for decades and that the community’s educational backwardness has often been used to deny them the benefits of various government schemes. They also highlighted the cultural richness of the Adivasi community and urged authorities to preserve and promote their traditions while ensuring socio-economic upliftment.
The union referenced a memorandum submitted to the government on 20 November, outlining several key demands. These include land ownership rights for tea garden workers, wage parity with workers in the Brahmaputra Valley, and the recognition of Adivasis as a Scheduled Tribe. Officials acknowledged Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma’s recent initiative to provide land titles as a positive development but stressed that many critical issues remain unresolved.
Calling for renewed government intervention, the Barak Valley Adivasi Union emphasised that all pending concerns must be addressed promptly. They also reaffirmed their demand for Adivasi candidates in every Assembly seat of the Barak Valley in the upcoming elections, arguing that adequate political representation is essential for ensuring justice, dignity and long-term progress for the community.
