HPC employees impeded by Police from holding candle march in Silchar; DC says "human error" while typing

A ferment situation arose in Silchar today as Hindustan Paper Corporation (HPC Paper Mill) employees holding a candlelight march were stopped by the Police to subterfuge their efforts. The candlelight march was being held by Cachar and Nagaon Paper Mill Joint Action Committee of Recognisive Union in Silchar for paying tribute to the 79 employees of Cachar and Nagaon Paper Mill who allegedly lost their lives due to non-payment of salaries.

In memory of the late employees, the Cachar and Nagaon Paper Mill Joint Action Committee of Recognisive Union had called for a candlelight march from Khudiram Statue towards Rangirkhari. They had also obtained prior permission from the administration for holding the procession. However, the march was abruptly stopped by the Police and CRPF jawans near Khudiram Statue and the protestors were cordoned which led to a tumult as the air got rife with slogans like “Awaz doh ek ho”, “Michil berhote ditei hobe”, “Inquilab Zindabad” “Police prosason hay hay” by the participating members.

They showed the prior permission order for the candlelight march obtained from the Additional District Magistrate bearing his signature to the obstructing police officials. However, the administration showed them another order which mandated to restrict the candlelight march. Strangely both the orders contained the same date January 25, 2021, the only difference being the “should be allowed” and “cannot be allowed” inscribed in bold letters.

Amidst the chaos and tussle, speaking on behalf of the organisation Manobendra Chakraborty said “We officially informed the Deputy Commissioner and Superintendent of Police about the candle march. The day before yesterday we had a meeting with SP and DSP. Today they issued permission and allowed for our procession. Now they have sent the police to impede us. We want to know whether the government obeys the Constitution and respects the fundamental rights of the citizens of India.”

The scuffle went on for about an hour and a half till the mill employees and their family members returned with candles in their hands.

Clarifying the arisen situation, DC Keerthi Jalli told Barak Bulletin “It was a clerical oversight and human error. ‘Should not be allowed’ was typed but a silly error crept in. The Police report also was also negative.” Many protesters alleged that the administration revoked the permission coming under political pressure. The DC refused. “There is no political pressure from any corner. Keeping in view the law and order situation and in this case public safety especially before Republic Day celebrations, conservative measures have been taken,” said the deputy commissioner of Cachar.