1 more employee of paper mill die without salary & dues since last 59 months, toll reaches 99

Jan 1: The word ‘death’ is sending a chill of horror in the corridors of the now defunct Nagaon and Panchgram Paper Mills. On one hand, when the procession of deaths due to COVID-19 is going on unabated, on the other, being deprived of salary since last 59 months, employees of the two HPC Paper Mills are embracing death one after another.

One more employee of the defunct Cachar paper mill of the Hindustan Paper Corporation Limited (HPCL) died in Morigaon on 30 December, 2021 taking the death tally since their closure to 99. Mohan Singh, 62, of Cachar Paper Mill who was suffering from severe Liver ailment and heart disease died on Thursday, while on the way to NEIGRIHMs, Shillong for treatment. “Without money, his family was unable to afford good treatment and he ultimately breathed his last due to the apathy of the govt,” said one of the union leader.

Manabendra Chakraborty, trade union leader of the mill said, “This is the 14th death since the Himanta Biswa Sarma-led BJP government was formed in Assam. These are not general deaths. Mohan Singh joined the long procession of deaths of our employees without getting any proper treatment. How can you afford treatment when you are not paid your salaries since last 59 months and also they are deprived of retirement dues? How many deaths will wake up the govt from their deep slumber?”  With this, the death toll at HPC Paper Mill has now reached 99 including 4 suicides.

Cachar Paper Mill and Nagaon Paper Mill run by Hindustan Paper Corporation Limited (HPCL) have been non-functional since 20 October 2015 and 13 March 2017 respectively. The employees of the two mills have not received salaries for the past 59 months inspite of the assurance of the state government to give them their due.