The Assam Tea Tribal Students’ Association (ATSA) has launched an indefinite road blockade at Bihubar Augurijan under the Nazira circle, protesting alleged illegal stone quarrying and other unlawful activities inside the Bihubar Augurijan Tea Garden. The Nazira branch of ATSA said the action aims to force authorities to evict those involved and halt quarrying operations in the disputed Assam–Nagaland border area.
ATSA representatives said the blockade will remain in place until eviction measures begin and stone extraction is stopped immediately. The group has submitted a memorandum to the local commissioner detailing its demands and concerns, they added.
According to ATSA, large-scale and illegal stone extraction is taking place within the tea garden, driven by certain businessmen working with so-called stone mafias. The association alleges that quarrying has involved cutting down tea plants to make way for extraction, causing damage to the estate.
The protesters also claimed the situation has been aggravated by the presence of armed miscreants from across the border. ATSA said these groups earlier opposed the establishment of a Border Outpost in the area, which prompted the Assam administration to withdraw and allowed the claimants to assert control over the land.
ATSA further alleged that the withdrawal and ongoing tensions have enabled illegal quarrying networks to operate with impunity. The association says it lodged multiple complaints before, but no effective action was taken against those allegedly responsible.
The organisation warned the blockade would continue indefinitely unless authorities take concrete steps, including eviction of those engaged in illegal activities and restoration of administrative control in the area. The protest highlights ongoing tensions over land control, cross-border security and natural-resource exploitation along the Assam–Nagaland boundary, issues ATSA says must be addressed urgently.
Original Source: https://www.indiatodayne.in/assam/video/assam-atsa-launches-indefinite-road-blockade-over-illegal-stone-quarrying-in-nazira-1380493-2026-04-24?utm_source=rssfeed
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Publish Date: 2026-04-24 08:30:00
