Father and Son Die in Mud Wall Collapse in Udharbond: A Tragic Tale of Neglect

In a heartbreaking incident in Chaltakandi, Durganagar Part I, under the Udharbond constituency of Cachar, a father and his 6-month-old son lost their lives when a mud wall of their dilapidated house collapsed on them early this morning. The victims have been identified as Ashif Uddin, the infant, and Azir Uddin Barbhuiya, his 35-year-old father. Heavy rainfall over the past few days had weakened the structure, leading to the tragic collapse. Despite the existence of government schemes like Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana, which aim to ensure housing for all, this family of 9 had been living in precarious conditions, deprived of the benefits promised by such schemes.

The 9-member family, which includes women and children, was asleep when the mud wall suddenly gave way, burying them under the debris. Immediate death claimed the father and son duo, while several other family members sustained injuries. Local residents, upon hearing the crash, rushed to the scene and undertook rescue operations. Their swift actions helped retrieve the buried family members.

The police arrived shortly after the incident, recovering the bodies and sending them to SMCH for post-mortem examinations. The community is in shock and mourning the tragic loss of life.

Local residents expressed their anger and grief, highlighting the family’s extreme poverty and their exclusion from essential government benefits. “Two women and two children were also severely injured. We are crowdfunding among ourselves to raise money to send them to the hospital. This family doesn’t even get a ration card,” said a distressed local.

The incident has sparked outrage and sorrow in the region, drawing attention to the dire need for effective implementation of housing schemes and the provision of basic amenities to all citizens. The community mourns the loss and calls for immediate government intervention and financial assistance to the family.