Health crisis strikes: 11 lives lost to cholera and diarrhea in Assam's Tongonagaon tea estate

Tongonagaon tea estate in Kakopothar, Tinsukia district, is grappling with a wave of fear as 11 individuals have succumbed to epidemic diseases like cholera and diarrhea within a week.

Among the deceased are Sunu Tanti (69), Dibisa Tanti (28), Sita Tanti (32), and several others from the community, heightening concerns among residents. The outbreak has left many more residents unwell, with treatment being administered either at the garden hospital or at home without medical supervision.

The situation is particularly dire in the Kulibill line of the garden, leading to mounting worry and anxiety within the local community as the diseases continue to spread.

In response to the escalating crisis, Labour and Tea Tribes Welfare Minister Sanjay Kishan visited the estate to assess the situation firsthand. Assuring residents, he informed them of the deployment of the health department’s mobile medical unit to initiate treatment.

The minister’s visit aimed to provide reassurance and oversee the implementation of necessary measures to contain the outbreak, offering a glimmer of hope amidst the prevailing uncertainty.

Meanwhile, on Tuesday, the Assam Tea Tribe Students’ Association (ATTSA) took proactive steps by submitting a memorandum to the Tinsukia District Commissioner.

Their demands included urgent intervention to curb the epidemic, provision of advanced treatment for the afflicted, enhancement of health services across all tea gardens, compensation for the bereaved families, and the organization of medical camps district-wide. With these actions, the community anticipates a concerted effort to manage the crisis effectively and prevent further loss of life