DARJEELING, : Darjeeling MPRajuBista on Sunday visited the dharna program of the
Darjeeling Dooars Chia ShramikSurakshaSamiti (DDCSS) being held at Chowrasta
here as a show of solidarity and support with the struggles of the tea garden
workers.
The
two-day dharna which started Saturday from DDCSS has many demands related to
tea gardens among which includes the State government to take back their
decision to allow 30% of tea garden land to be diverted to other purposes.
“The
tea garden workers are the backbone of the tea industry, yet their struggle for
dignity and fair treatment has continued to be ignored by the West Bengal government.
We cannot allow this injustice to be continued,” said
Bista speaking about the State government's decision on tea garden land
diversion.
The
Darjeeling MP maintained that through this policy, the State government was
trying to render the indigenous people of the Darjeeling hills, Terai and
Dooars region‘landless and homeless’.
"This
policy has the potential to displace our people and poses a grave risk for our
present and future generations. I appeal to all the people, the social
organizations, NGOs and political parties from across our region to register
their protest against this draconian and dangerous land policy adopted by the State
government," he said.
Bista
claimed that he was doing his best to ensure that the voices of the tea garden
workers and the indigenous communities are heard and their rights protected.
“I
am raising this issue at the highest levels of government and will continue to
work tirelessly to advocate for a fair and just resolution. The future of our
people and our region depends on us coming together to fight this unjust
policy, and I assure you that I will stand by you every step of the way,” said
the Darjeeling MP.
