Agartala, 18th August 2026 : Intense resentment has erupted among workers of Ranibani Tea Estate, with employees staging protests and road blockades demanding better basic amenities and the immediate removal of the estate’s manager.
The workers alleged that despite continuing to work and maintain production at the tea estate, they have been deprived of several legitimate benefits and essential facilities. According to the protesters, their grievances include inadequate healthcare, poor housing conditions, delays in medical reimbursements, maternity benefits, footwear, umbrellas and rations, as well as disputes over the supply of tin sheets for repairing workers’ quarters.
Workers from both Ranibani and Sonaichhari reportedly submitted a written petition to the owner seeking the removal of the present manager. They alleged that the manager has adopted arbitrary rules and failed to address their long-pending demands.
One of the major complaints concerns housing repairs. Workers alleged that repairs are sometimes denied on the grounds that a family must have two permanent employees to qualify, leaving families with only one permanent worker without assistance.
The agitating workers said their financial hardship has compounded their problems. They claimed that the daily wage is around Rs 200 and that proper roads, medical facilities and other essential services remain unavailable. Several workers expressed concern that if the estate’s condition deteriorates further, their livelihoods and their children’s education could be severely affected.
“We have been suffering for a long time. We want a new manager. We will resume work once he is removed,” some workers said.
The protesters maintained that their agitation is aimed at securing their legitimate rights and would not be intended to permanently disrupt estate operations. However, they warned that the movement would be intensified if their demands are not addressed promptly.
The workers also expressed concern over the future of the tea estate, saying that continued mismanagement could push the garden towards further decline and place the livelihoods of hundreds of workers at risk.
