West Bengal arrests eleven tribespeople protesting land port project

Authorities in West Bengal have arrested eleven tribal members who were demanding rehabilitation provisions linked to a proposed land port initiative in the state's Torsa Tea Garden region. The arrests mark an escalation in tensions surrounding the Land Ports Authority of India (LPAI) development project at the Gotabari site.

Local residents had maintained a sustained, peaceful protest adjacent to the project site for more than 100 days, during which construction activities continued uninterrupted. The demonstration underscored community concerns about the impact of the proposed infrastructure on local populations and their livelihoods.

Construction work at the LPAI facility has progressed for nearly five months despite the ongoing opposition from affected communities. The project, intended to enhance trade and commerce infrastructure in the region, has become a focal point for disputes between development objectives and local rehabilitation demands.

The detentions of the tribal protesters signal a hardening stance by authorities on the demonstration, which had remained non-violent throughout its duration. Rights groups and local leaders have called for dialogue between project administrators and affected communities to address rehabilitation concerns before further development proceeds.