With a call to save their ancestral land, around 5,000 tea workers, along with civil society members organised a programme titled, “Praner Parab” yesterday at Chandpur tea garden in Chunarughat upazila of Habiganj to protest setting up of a special economic zone there by the government.
The daylong event was organised by “Cha Jonogoshthi Bhumi Odhikar Committee” and “Cha Jonogoshthi Bhumi Odhikar Chatro Jubo Andalan”.
Besides, tea workers of Chandpur, Begum Khan and Jualbhanga tea gardens also observed a two-hour work stoppage, said Bhutto Karmakar, a worker of Begum Khan tea garden.
The government has decided to develop SEZs across the country under its Economic Zones Development Project. One of the SEZs will be in Chandpur area.
The decision to set up an economic zone on the arable land in Habiganj would threaten the livelihoods of thousands of tea workers, warned rights activists.
With a slogan, “Amar Mati, Amar Ma, Kere Nite Debo Na” (my land, my mother, will not let anyone snatch it), the event hosted a variety of programmes like sports competitions, kite flying, music, dance and theatre performances, where artistes Uzzal Chakrabarty, Arup Das and Kafil Ahmed performed.
Musical and theatre groups including Sorbopran Sangskritik Shokti, Somogit, Nogornat, Sohojia, Madol, Chitkar, Prachonat, Bottola, Tirondaj and Pothik Theatre, also took part.
Later, a photography exhibition was held on the struggles of the tea workers.
Mohon Rabidas, a rights activist, Sunil Biswas, president of Protik Theatre, and Nripen Paul, member secretary of Chandpur Bhumi Rakkha Committee, were also present.
