A massive protest rally erupted in Assam’s Tinsukia district on Wednesday during Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma’s visit to the district. More than one lakh members of the tea tribe and Adivasi communities gathered to demand long-pending rights, including the Scheduled Tribe (ST) status, land pattas, and fair wages for tea workers.
The rally, held at the Hukan Pukhuri playground, was jointly organized by the Tinsukia district committees of the Assam Tea Tribe Students’ Association (ATTSA) and the All Adivasi Students’ Association, Assam (AASAA), with strong support from the Assam Chah Mazdoor Sangha units of Doomdooma, Margherita, Tingrai, and Panitola circles. Several other local and community organizations also participated.
The entire ground turned into a sea of people holding placards, flags, and handwritten banners. The slogans echoed the same frustration that has built up over decades — the demand for Scheduled Tribe recognition and equal opportunities in education, employment, and welfare schemes. 
“We have the identity, the culture, the work, but no recognition. It’s time the government acknowledged us,” read one large banner at the protest site.
Many protesters carried old maps and land records to show how their families have lived and worked in these areas for generations without any formal land ownership. They said the absence of land pattas has made their lives uncertain and vulnerable to eviction. Leaders reminded the government that land rights are not only about ownership but also about security and dignity.
The rally also saw strong demands for better wages for tea-garden workers. Young men and women carried bright placards showing their daily wage amounts and called for immediate wage revisions. “We toil in the gardens day and night, but our wages are still not enough to survive,” shouted one worker as the crowd responded with loud cheers.
Families displaced by earlier ethnic violence or floods also joined the protest, holding banners that demanded rehabilitation and proper compensation. “We lost everything once, and we are still waiting for justice,” read another placard.
Another major issue raised was the delay in implementing the 2022 Adivasi Peace Accord, which was expected to improve socio-political conditions and grant long-overdue recognition to the Adivasi people. Many banners displayed the slogan “Implement the Accord Now,” showing clear disappointment at the government’s silence on the matter.
Community leaders also reminded that Defence Minister Rajnath Singh had previously assured action on their demands, but no steps have been taken since. “We were promised results, but we have seen only silence. The government must keep its word,” one speaker told reporters.
As the protest took place, Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma was in Tinsukia for a separate official visit and political engagements. His presence on the same day gave the protest a strong political tone. Many protesters said they hoped the Chief Minister would take note of their issues and ensure early resolution.
