Remuneration due since 58 months, another HPC employees departs without proper treatment, death toll 96

The death toll reaches 96 with the demise of Nripendra Chandra Dey (61), an employee of currently dysfunctional Hindustan Paper Mill Corporation’s Panchgram Paper Mill since its closure. Nripendra Chandra Dey breathed his last at Silchar Medical College today around 4 am; he was diagnosed with fatal bone cancer, and for which he could not even afford proper treatment. The slain is survived by his wife, son, and daughter.Over 1200 employees of HPC’s Pangram Paper Mill haven’t received their remuneration for the last 58 months, and they are facing a grim economic crisis. “Nripendra Dey couldn’t arrange the desired treatment in time due to nonpayment / statutory dues since last 58 months and lost his battle,” alleged Manobendra Chakraborty, the President of The Joint Action Committee of Recognised Unions (JACRU), representing the employees of the two mills of Cachar and Nagaon.

Before Nripendra Dey, 95 employees died of hunger or inability to afford treatment for diseases, and four took their own lives. Union officials estimated that over four lakh people are directly or indirectly impacted by the closure of the mills.

A press statement published by the JACRU on the death of Nripendra Chandra Dey alleged that this is the 11th death after the new Government in Assam assumed power since May 2021. The presser alleged that Government of India-owned Industries has turned this valley into a death valley and compared it with the infamous Holocaust.

The two paper mills — Cachar Paper Mill at Panchgram in Hailakandi district and Nagaon Paper Mill at Jagiroad in Morigaon district — both owned by Hindustan Paper Corporation Limited — have been shut since October 2015 and March 2017 respectively. These two paper mills were regarded as one of Asia’s largest paper mills, two townships eventually developed in Jagiroad, and in Panchgram centering these two Mills. Two sites have now turned into a haunted place where only the specters of the past remained.

“If the Government fails to take timely and necessary actions to give us our legal dues, more deaths are awaiting us. We have a pathetic condition where it has become challenging to survive,” Manobendra Chakraborty said. “We came to an understanding with the Assam Government, whereby they promised us to avail relief package. But this has not been materialized till now, and the fund has not been released. But the sufferers are living in penury.” Mr. Chakraborty added. “How many deaths would it need to make the Government to do something? They must consider this and act fast. It is the primary and fundamental duty of Government to save lives and property of citizens,” he further added. The Government is solely responsible for their fate; they can’t make any individual responsible for this, as Government was the owner, JACRU president reminded.

Delhi High court hears the pleas in fast track court, and they are hopeful of getting some relief and justice soon from the Court of Law. The Human rights commission has also taken note of the situation and brought it to the notice of the Government, but the Government remains indifferent till now, Manobendra Chakraborty informed Barak Bulletin.