Assam labourer death case: Student body in Assam gives ultimatum to administration

Agencies
GUWAHATI, APRIL 9

The recent death of 14 construction workers along the Assam-Meghalaya border has once again highlighted the plight of labourers.
A total of 23 construction workers were hired by a contractor named as Abdul Hussain.They were engaged in constructing a bridge in Kheloria Ghat of Jayantia Hills in Meghalaya for the last one month until bodies of fourteen among the twenty three were found from a house of Kheloria last Friday. The other nine laborers have reportedly been missing. The bodies were sent by the Meghalaya government for post-mortem. On Wednesday, All Assam Minority students’ Union and the Labour Union of Assam blocked the 31st National Highway in Balajan of Dhubri. The district administration had to deploy security forces to bring the situation under control. The protesters have given an ultimatum of 24 hours to the government of Meghalaya to finish investigation. They warned the government of a stern protest if the demands are not met at the earliest. They also demanded the Meghalaya government to compensate the families of the dead with Rs 10 Lakh each.
The construction workers were suspected to have a consumed a poisonous wild fruit ‘soh khuiatur’ in Saipung village of East Jaintia Hills district on Monday last and died due to food poisoning. But the families of the victims say that wound marks were visible in various parts of the dead bodies and have said that these workers were victimized of border conflict between the two states.
However, the Meghalaya police have prima facie ruled out any foul play but are awaiting the post-mortem report for confirmation. Assam Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi has ordered an inquiry into the circumstances leading to the death of 14 construction workers hailing from the state in neighbouring Meghalaya.
Gogoi directed Additional Chief Secretary Shyam Lal Mewara to investigate the matter and find circumstances that lead to the death of the labourers with cooperation from Meghalaya government. In Sept, 2014, exodus of Assam-based labourers in Meghalaya was reported following threats from certain groups.
Reportedly, around 400 labourers of Assam were asked to leave Meghalaya by KSU members. The labourers claimed that they were given only five minutes time to pack up their bags by group of local people besides they were not even allowed to have their food. The labourers were engaged in the construction of IIM Shillong and the adjacent project in Umsawli. Assam Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi has ordered an inquiry into the circumstances leading to the death of 14 construction workers hailing from the state in neighbouring Meghalaya.
Gogoi directed Additional Chief Secretary Shyam Lal Mewara to inquire into the circumstances leading to the death of the labourers with cooperation.