Siliguri, April 24: The Siliguri-Jalpaiguri Development Authority (SJDA) today said it has been forced to put on hold a rehabilitation package for Chandmoni workers for the past two years because of protests from a section of them.

Chandmoni hit the headlines recently after workers who have already settled down on garden land protested against plans to relocate them to Uttarayon. It brought back memories of 2002, when two protesters unwilling to part with their land for Uttarayon — the satellite township of Siliguri — were killed in police firing.

On Monday, the workers had allegedly assaulted Rambahadur, a local Citu leader, for enrolling for the relocation package, after an announcement was made asking people to get their names registered for relocation benefits.

The two-and-a-half page communiqué issued by the SJDA reads: “The main disagreement has been with regard to the list of the families to be rehabilitated and to be given land and flats.”

The SJDA had called a meeting on April 9 where it was decided that the former workers would themselves prepare a list by April 15. “Workers ... failed the unanimously agreed deadline and subsequent extension for preparation of such a list,” the release said.

The recorded public announcement played over a loudspeaker in an autorickshaw on Monday was meant to invite residents to crosscheck and confirm their inclusion, the SJDA claimed.