Defunct Paper Mill employees stage protest on the day of PM Modi’s visit in Karimganj

March 18: Prime Minister Narendra Modi during his election campaign in 2014 assured that the defunct paper mills at Panchgram and Nagaon would be revived once the BJP government is formed at the centre. Since then, more than 6 years have elapsed, but the two paper mills are still lying in defunct condition. The employees of the mills are deprived of their salary for almost 50 long months. They have also been deprived of their provident fund and other dues. Till now, 83 persons have died out of which 3 of them have committed suicide. Many of them are even not in a position to continue the education of their wards.

On Thursday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi was supposed to speak at an election rally at Bhatgram in Karimganj district. In the morning, Paper Mill employees of Panchgram staged a protest outside Cachar Paper Mill, ahead of PM’s visit, to register their voice against unfulfilled promise of reviving the paper mill.

The employees raised slogans and crticised the Prime Minister for not fulfilling his poll promise of reviving the two paper mills of Assam. They even raised slogans of “Go Back PM Modi.” They demanded response from the Prime Minister. They even held the Prime Minister responsible for the death of 83 employees being deprived of their salary for the last 50 months.

Meanwhile, hough the Prime Minister spoke about the improved communication system, assured youths of more jobs, improved trade relations with foreign nations at Bhrgram in Karimganj on Thursday, yet he preferred to be silent upon the promises which he made before the people of Barak Valley earlier. Twice in the past, Prime Minister Modi during his visit to Barak Valley assured that the now defunct paper mill will be revived soon. But on Thursday, he was conspicuously silent on this issue of revival of the paper mill.