Karimganj North Congress legislator Kamalakhya Dey Purkayastha visited Cachar Paper Mill on Tuesday evening and provided financial assistance and study materials to the children of mill employees, who had recently “begged” on the streets.

Purkayastha told The Telegraph on Wednesday that he learnt about the plight of the employees and their families. They are not able to make ends meet or manage their children’s expenses, he said.

The people also apprised him about their apprehension regarding the order, issued by Hindustan Paper Corporation’s liquidator in December 2019, that all HPC quarters would have to be vacated by January 31. They informed him that army jawans had already occupied a few vacant quarters at the Cachar mill and they fear they would be thrown out of their homes, Purkayastha said. He provided Rs 10,000 for the children and distributed study materials, including books, copies, pencils and pens.

Purkayastha, who had raised the issue in the Assembly a number of times in the past, said he would try his level best to ensure the government takes steps to save the mill and its employees.

Cachar Paper Project Workers’ Union president Manabendra Chakraborty said the BJP legislators and MPs from Barak Valley had “lost all sense of humanity” and they will not be forgiven if they do not come forward at such a crucial time when children are having to come on the streets for survival.

Cachar Paper Mill Officers and Supervisors Association general secretary Dipak Chandra Nath said it was extremely unfortunate that the mill employees are not getting any response from the ruling party leaders when they need help the most.

There are eight BJP legislators and two MPs from Barak Valley.

Silchar BJP legislator Dilip Kumar Paul said he was aware about the mill and its employees’ condition and that measures to remit their dues should have been taken by the government much earlier.

He hoped the issue would be resolved soon. “Merely visiting the mill and providing financial assistance will not solve their problems. Hopefully the government will initiate steps soon for a permanent solution,” he said.