Massive fire at Nagaon Paper Mill, machinery worth crores burnt to ashes

February 19: Property worth crores of rupees were gutted in a massive fire which broke out at Nagaon Paper Mill (HPC Nagaon) located at Jagiroad onTuesday morning. Reportedly entire machinery inside the Paper Mill were reduced to ashes. Prima facie evidence revealed that the fire broke out due to a short circuit in the 132 KV Power House Control Room.

On Tuesday morning, locals suddenly saw massive flames coming out of the paper mill. They at once informed the fire service. Initially, the employees over there tried to douse the fire but in vain. Several fire engines rushed to the spot. It took two hours before they were able to being the fire under control.

Sources revealed that electricity supply in the paper mill is stopped for an indefinite period. It needs mention here that the production at Nagaon Paper Mill along with Panchgram Paper Mill has been suspended since 2015. The HPC Paper Mills Revival Action Committee has time and again appealed for revival of the two mills. Inspite of repeated assurances both from the centre and the state nothing positive has come out yet.

Meanwhile, it was also learnt that efforts were on to privatise both these two paper mills. In an exclusive talk with way2barak Convenor of HPC Paper Mills Revival Action Committee Manabendra Chakraborty said, “It is nothing surprising. This was bound to happen. When there is zero maintenance of the machines connected with high power circuit, such kind of fire will definitely break out.” He regarded it as a ‘clear conspiracy’ by the government to get the mill damaged so that its value becomes less and subsequently it can be sold to private players at a cheap rate. Mr. Chakraborty regarded it as a national loss and held the government responsible for it.

Sanjib Roy on behalf of HPC Paper Mills Revival Action Committee said, “We knew before hand that such a kind of situation is going to arise. State Minister Chandramohan Patwory said sometimes ago that on humanitarian ground we are not disconnecting the electricity supply of the mills and the government is bearing the burden of the electricity bills. Judging from all angles, we are highly suspicious of the fire that broke out at Nagoan Paper Mill. Severing electricity connection is nothing but a planned exercise.”

He also expressed apprehension that a similar fate is awaiting the Panchgram Paper Mill. However, Mr. Roy said that HPC Paper Mills Revival Action Committee will not sit idle and their agitation for the revival of these two paper mills will continue.