In Cachar, Assam, the Hindustan Paper Corporation (HPC) Paper Mills have witnessed yet another tragic death, as worker Phani Bhusan Barman, 58, succumbed to a prolonged illness on January 31, bringing the death toll to 131. The paper mill, previously a government-run corporation, is now managed by the Assam government. However, employees have been suffering immense hardships, as they have not received salaries or provident funds for over 95 months despite deductions from their wages.
This dire situation persists despite the National Company Law Appellate Tribunal’s directive to release provident funds, leaving workers unable to access essential resources for critical needs like medical treatment. This neglect has resulted in irreversible consequences, including five sudden deaths since September 2024, with four suicides reported among them. Workers attribute these tragedies to inhumane conditions and lack of governmental support, which have led to unbearable stress and despair.
Barman’s death leaves his family—his wife and four children—without income, highlighting the human cost of this ongoing crisis. As workers and their families demand accountability from the government for what they call inhumane and hostile treatment, the situation at the HPC Paper Mills is increasingly described as a “Valley of Death.” This term underscores the perceived failure of the Government of India to effectively address the crisis, resulting in significant harm.
Community appeals are growing, urging both national and international audiences to raise their voices in support of the workers. They are calling for justice and a humane resolution that ensures the payment of long-overdue salaries, the resolution of provident fund issues, and the prevention of future suffering for coming generations. Workers at the HPC Paper Mills are fervently calling on the public to demand justice and meaningful change to end the perilous conditions that have claimed so many lives.
