Paper mill employee dies in Assam: total number of deaths now at 99

GUWAHATI: Yet another employee of the now defunct paper mills of Assam has passed away, taking to overall toll of deceased to 99. Notably, many former employees, unable to cope financially after the closure, have ended their own lives.

Mohan Singh, an employee of the Cachar Paper Mill departed for his heavenly abode yesterday around 3:20 pm while he was on the way to NEIGRIHMS in Shillong for his treatment. He was a Resident of Binnakandi of Silchar Parliamentary Constituency and was suffering from severe liver and heart disease.

According to Manobendra Chakraborty, president of the paper mills' union, Singh failed to avail desired treatment in time due to nonpayment of salary/statutory dues since the last 59 months and passed away relatively young at 62.

"He also even didn’t receive single penny from his legitimate retirement dues of entire service life - withheld by the Government which forced him to die without required treatment in time," Chakraborty said in a statement.

Chakraborty also intimated media that the death toll has risen to 99 (this figure also includes 4 suicides.

"It is 14th death after new government in Assam came to power lead by Dr Himanta Biswa Sarma and Govt. Of India owned industries have turned to Valley of Death like Holocaust,' Chakraborty alleged in his statement.

He further opined that the only option that remains open is citizens' court of national and international communities.

Cachar Paper Mill at Panchgram in Hailakandi district is non-functional since October 2015, while the Nagaon Paper Mill at Jagiroad in Morigaon district is shut since March 2017.

Follow us on Facebook