The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), on Monday, December 2, directed the Chief Secretary of Tamil Nadu to ensure basic amenities to former workers of the Manjolai Tea Estate who were forced to evict their homes. This directive comes after an on-the-spot investigation revealed disruptions in essential facilities including water, electricity, medical access, transportation, rations, and education by the Bombay Burmah Trading Corporation Limited (BBTCL), which has been operating the Manjolai tea estate since 1929.
“The documentary evidence available and the statements of the witnesses reflect numerous contradictions with reference to the actual number of victims, allegations levelled with regard to notification of memorandum of settlement (MoS) and voluntary retirement scheme rolled out by the BBTCL, coerced agreement between the BBTCL and its workers on the MoS, disruption in the supply of essential facilities like electricity, transport, etc., rehabilitation of displaced workers, and resettlement package to the workers,” the NHRC order reads.
On May 30, 2024, BBTCL abruptly announced its decision to cease functioning. The workers, most of them Dalits, were asked to vacate the five villages – Manjolai, Kakkachi, Naalumukku, Oothu and Kuthiraivetti–collectively called Manjolai Estates, located at an altitude ranging between 1,034 and 1,400 meters. The company asked the workers to accept a Voluntary Retirement Scheme (VRS), vacate their homes, and collect their dues and bonuses. But the workers protested the arbitrary eviction and the NHRC initiated a probe after K Krishnasamy, founder of the Puthiya Tamilagam Party, filed a complaint.
Stating that approximately 1000 families residing in the Manjolai village were forced to leave, he alleged that the BBTCL, which holds a 99-year lease on the Manjolai forest area, is pressuring villagers to vacate their homes before the lease expires in 2028. He also alleged that the BBTCL, with the connivance of the state government, has closed its factory operations, and is cutting off essential services like electricity and water supply to the villagers.
Though the Madurai Bench of the Madras High Court has issued a stay on evictions, NHRC expressed concern over the disruption of basic necessities after a Commission visited the area between September 8 and 13, recording statements from affected workers, union leaders, and government officials. The NHRC Commission's findings indicate that the BBTCL allegedly cut off electricity and water supply to Manjolai and surrounding villages, blaming natural disasters.
“...the enquiry has ascertained facts of disruption/reduction qua essential services like water, electricity, transportation, medical facilities, ration distribution etc. which are basic human necessities essential to lead a dignified life,” the NHRC Commission observed. It gave the Tamil Nadu government six weeks to ensure the restoration of essential services and the provision of welfare schemes to the residents of the Manjolai Estate. The Commission also directed the Chief Secretary to present an action taken report to the within six weeks.
