With the decline of insurgency, Tripura has been reaping a peace dividend. The tea industry in the state, which was once going through a major crisis, is now witnessing a revival. People are now able to work in the tea gardens without any threat. We have a report.
Manu Valley Tea Estate in North Tripura is witnessing a boom. A few years ago, it was one among the many tea gardens in Tripura, which were on the verge of closing down due to rampant incidents of kidnapping and extortion by militant outfits.
Plucking activities were almost ended in most of the estates as workers had left the area out of fear of the militants.
However, with the decline in insurgency, the tea gardens have resumed production.
"We are doing well now. The laborers are working properly. A time was there when there was crisis of workers due to the fear of insurgents, but now, there is no crisis of labours.Everything is going on properly," said Chanu Modha, a supervisor.
The workers are happy to return to their traditional activities and earn a good livelihood.
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"I have been plucking tea here for 10 years. Now, we are earning and living better and sending our children to schools. A time was there when my parents could not work anymore due to insurgency but the fear no more exists. Presently we work here without any fear and earn better," said Jamuna, a worker.
The tea industry in Tripura directly employs around 20,000 families. With the improvement in security situation, many small tea growers have started back to business.
Tripura produces around 90 lakh kilograms of green tea annually and it aims to double the production in the next 5 years.
"In one hand the private tea growers, the private companies and on the other the co-operative societies, the Tripura tea development board and simultaneously the small tea growers, they are now being supported by the government. Tea market is also presently doing very good. So that way, leaving all the odds in the past, including the insurgency, now the government is supporting other things. This is helping the tea industry too and it is fetching good revenue for the state also and also generating a good number of employment," said Jitendra Chowdhury, former Tripura Industry Minister.
With the decline in insurgency, Tripura has been witnessing major socio-economic change.