Alipurduar, Nov. 1 -- After 27 days of agitation, the joint protest platform representing 18 villages in Buxa has temporarily withdrawn its sit-in outside the Rajabhatkhawa checkpost. The decision followed a four-hour meeting with the district administration at Dooars Kanya in Alipurduar on Sunday, where several demands received a positive response.
The agitation centred on 10 demands, including the implementation of the Forest Rights Act (FRA), 2006. However, the Forest department remained firm on retaining the checkpost, citing wildlife protection.
The meeting was attended by Forest minister Manoj Kumar Oraon, Minister of State for Home and Hill Affairs Bishal Lama, Alipurduar MP Manoj Tigga, the MLAs of Alipurduar and Madarihat, District Magistrate Mayuri Vasu, SP Amit Kumar Shah, Buxa Tiger Reserve Field Director Kumar Vimal and representatives of the protesting villages.
"We stand firmly with forest village residents. A fact-finding committee will examine the implementation of the Forest Rights Act. Preparations have also begun to reduce the Rajabhatkhawa entry fee. However, the checkpost will not be removed under any circumstances," Forest minister Manoj Kumar Oraon said.
The meeting initially witnessed heated exchanges but was brought back on track following interventions by the MP and ministers.
It was decided that Jayanti jeep safaris would resume, with tourists collecting tickets from the Rajabhatkhawa counter. The department also agreed not to object to overnight stays at Jayanti homestays. Buxa hill residents and their relatives would be exempted from entry fees.
A fact-finding committee headed by District Magistrate Mayuri Vasu will examine the FRA issue, with its first meeting scheduled between November 18 and 23.
"Only a small part of our demands has been accepted. Nevertheless, this is a positive step. We are withdrawing the sit-in for now, but not backing down from our demands," said protest leader Ayan Naidu.
Published by HT Digital Content Services with permission from Millennium Post.