Two more estate deaths - Bagrakote death toll at four, management mum

TT, Oct. 30: Two residents of Bagrakote Tea Estate owned by the Duncans Goenka Group died of suspected malnutrition and lack of treatment in the past two days, taking the death toll in the garden to four in as many days.

This paper tried to contact a Duncans Goenka top official and had earlier also tried to speak to the Bagrakote garden management, but neither took calls.

The Malbazar subdivisional administration and the district food department of Jalpaiguri have denied that the deaths were because of malnutrition or lack of treatment.

Kanchi Rokini, 60, and Satish Kharka, 52, died in the past two days.

"For the past four-five days, Satish was having renal problems. But because of paucity of funds, we could not take him anywhere for treatment. On Wednesday, as his condition deteriorated, I gathered some money and took him to North Bengal Medical College and Hospital but he died yesterday," said Satish's brother Rabindra. "I had to borrow again to bring his body and conduct the last rites. He died for lack of treatment. He was not getting proper food."

Kanchi's son Dhiraj said they did not have money to take her to a hospital. He said their savings were exhausted. "Mother fell ill but we could not get her treated. She died at home on Wednesday," he said.

On Monday and Tuesday, Mukti Santhal and Etowa Oraon died of suspected malnutrition and lack of treatment.

As Bagrakote estate is not shut, the district administration cannot start state schemes meant for locked-out gardens.

Laurantus Kerketta, a leader of Progressive Tea Workers' Union, said: "There is no staff at the garden hospital for four-five months. Even first-aid is not available there."

Trouble began at Bagrakote and 13 other tea estates of the Duncans Goenka Group about eight months back.

Malbazar block development officer B. Sherpa denied that the deaths were because of lack of food or treatment. "Food grains are being distributed. Health workers have been asked to visit all houses to see if everyone was getting food and if anyone is ill."

Joint labour commissioner, Siliguri, Md Rizwan, said no estate of the group was shut. "We are trying to ensure that the gardens function normally and the dues are paid."

A worker at the Bagrakote health centre said the rice and wheat given by the state was not enough. A physician in Siliguri said: "Anyone with such food habit for months will suffer from acute protein and vitamin deficiency which can lead to many diseases. Immunity will come down and one will be vulnerable to infections. If a person has previous ailments, those will be aggravated."

Jual Oram, Union minister of tribal affairs, who was in Jalpaiguri today, said: "If the state seeks assistance, the Centre will definitely extend all possible co-operation."