Valley of death! 76th employee of paper mill dies without salary since last 45 months

Dec. 11: 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 45 months, employees of the two HPC Paper Mills are embracing death one after another.

The deceased employee Dwijen Dutta, 56, used to stay at the staff quarters of Nagaon Paper Mill. He was suffering from hypertension and blood pressure-related complications for many months. However, due to lack of salary since last 45 months, he was unable to get proper treatment. On Sunday, he complained of uneasiness following which he was taken to GNRC, Guwahati, where he died of a cerebral stroke. He is survived by his wife, son, daughter and many other kith and kin. “Without money, we were unable to afford good treatment of Dwijen Dutta, who ultimately breathed his last due to the apathy of the government,” said one of his relative.

Manabendra Chakraborty, trade union leader of the mill said, “These are not general deaths. Dwijen Dutta 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 45 months? How many deaths will wake up the govt from their deep slumber?” With this, the death toll at HPC Paper Mill has now gone upto 76 including 3 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 47 and 45 months respectively.