Brick kiln toll rises to five in Assam's Cachar

A CORRESPONDENT

SILCHAR: With the death of another minor, the toll in brick kiln accident in Lakhipur area of Kalain in Cachar rose to five. The 14-year-boy was identified as Ashraful Islam Laskar. On Friday afternoon, the tragic incident happened in a brick kiln due to chimney burst. Two persons, including Rahat Farhana, a 14-year-girl and her grandfather Abu Sufian died on the spot. In addition to Ashraful, two other people died at Silchar Medical College Hospital. Dr Babul Bezbaruah said, nine more patients were undergoing treatment in the burn injury department and at least three of them were in a critical condition. On Saturday, DIG (Southern Range) Kankan Jyoti Saikia visited the spot. Altaf Hussain, the owner of the brick kiln, which was reopened on Friday itself was absconding.

Meanwhile, the deaths of two minors inside the brick kiln raised the question of violation of Child Labour Act. However local residents said, none of the minors were engaged in the brick kiln. Rahat Farhana went there with her grandfather Abu Sufian, who was an Imam. Since the brick kiln was supposed to reopen after the massive flood in June, workers arranged some religious rituals and Sufian was invited for that purpose. But as the coal inside the brick kiln was set on fire, the chimney suddenly crashed and bursted. Some brick kiln workers claimed that the chimney had not been serviced in at least ten years. There was no maintenance before the reopening of the brick kiln.

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