The civil rights group, National Alliance for Justice, Accountability and Rights (NAJAR), has issued a strong statement extending solidarity to the Adivasi and Gorkha families of the Torsa Tea Garden in Alipurduar district, West Bengal, who have been resisting displacement by the proposed Jaigaon Land Port project for over 100 days. In its statement dated 9th November 2026, NAJAR, a collective of lawyers, law students, and legal professionals under the National Alliance of People's Movements (NAPM), condemned the demolition of the peaceful protest site by Bengal police on 2nd November and the arbitrary arrest of 11 residents, despite ongoing court proceedings and assurances against eviction.
"The forcible demolition, threat of eviction, and arrest of peaceful protestors while bypassing due process constitutes serious violations of people's right to land, livelihoods and legal safeguards," NAJAR stated, demanding an immediate halt to further eviction proceedings until land rights, land-based rehabilitation, and compensation are ensured. The organisation called for the withdrawal of false charges against the 11 residents and three organisers, and for fair consideration of alternative land proposals from the affected people. It also urged the government to comply with the Calcutta High Court's order dated 6th November 2026 to fully ensure due process of law.
Detailing the history of the struggle, NAJAR noted that the Torsa Tea Garden, situated in the Dooars region of Kalchini Block, has been home to these communities for generations. In 2023, workers discovered surveyors on their land, sent by the district administration, but were not informed of any proposed land port project. The Land Port Authority of India (LPAI) had requested 30 acres of land in 2022, leading to the identification of two plots—JL No. 851 and 852—which were eventually acquired by the State Government and sold to LPAI. "The people courageously refused to vacate it and unequivocally stated that neither were the project details presented to them at any point nor was their consent taken regarding the use of the land that had been in their possession for several decades," the statement read.
The affected families, under the banner of the Torsa Bagan Zameen Bachao Samity and with support from the Paschim Banga Cha Major Somity (PBCMS), began an indefinite dharna on 23rd July 2026 beside the Asian Highway. PBCMS approached the Calcutta High Court in WPA (P) 364 of 2026, challenging the apprehended forcible eviction and seeking protection of homes and livelihoods. Despite written representations to the District Magistrate, the Chief Minister, and local MLAs, and a proposal for an alternative land parcel, no substantive steps were taken by authorities. On 2nd November, two bulldozers accompanied by a substantial police contingent demolished the protest site.
NAJAR highlighted that among the 11 arrested were four Adivasi women—Mariam Oraon, Sunita Oraon, Arpita Oraon, and Ratna Oraon—and seven men, including Bishram Oraon, Raj Oraon, Anand Chhetri, Binod Kujur, Suraj Lohar, Sagar Vishwakarma, and Sarna Bilas Oraon. They were initially remanded to judicial custody until 6th November but granted bail on 7th November by the Alipurduar Court. The complaint by the LPAI junior engineer also falsely accused senior activists Anuradha Talwar, Binay Kerketta, and Mahesh Khalkho of inciting a crowd, though none were present at the site. "These baseless allegations are an attempt to intimidate the leadership of the movement and to criminalize the organization," NAJAR stated.
The statement also underscored the Calcutta High Court's clarification that even if occupants are regarded as "unauthorised occupants" or "encroachers," their removal must strictly adhere to due process of law. "The Court further clarified that while the project may continue, it cannot be pursued in violation of the rule of law," NAJAR noted, adding that neither the LPAI nor the police can assume powers beyond the law.
"For generations, Adivasis and Gorkhas have been the backbone of the tea plantation industry of West Bengal. The invisibilisation of their existence by administratively denying documentation of their land and further dehumanization by taking away their land and asking about the claim that they have on this land is deplorable," NAJAR stated. The organisation saluted the determined struggle of the Torsa Bagan Zameen Bachao Samity and called upon the Government of West Bengal, the Government of India, and the LPAI to recognize the people's right to land, livelihoods, and a secure future.
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