Reported by Laxman sharma
Digboi: The death of a 47-year-old contractual worker inside the Indian Oil Corporation Limited on May 10 has led to questions regarding the refinery’s safety and emergency response systems, including concerns related to emergency medical preparedness, surveillance coverage, and food safety standards at the refinery canteen.
Paresh Borgohain, employed as a canteen caterer under M/S Vidya Caterers, was on duty when the incident occurred on May 10.
According to family members and co-workers, he was carrying two tiffin boxes to the Sulphur Distillation Unit (SDU) sub-station when he collapsed after suffering a suspected medical emergency during duty hours.
The incident occurred at an operationally sensitive location. However, the area was reportedly not covered by CCTV surveillance. AOD Deputy General Manager (Security) Umesh Das stated that the refinery’s camera network monitors only vital installations and peripheral zones, and the exact location where Borgohain collapsed was outside the surveillance coverage.
Following the incident, Borgohain was taken to the refinery’s First Aid Centre. Workers alleged that no doctor was present at the time and that the centre was being managed by a contractual nurse and a first aid assistant.
Employees have raised concerns regarding emergency medical readiness at the facility.
Although a post-mortem examination was conducted, the findings have not yet been shared with the family.
Phunu Borgohain, president of the Digboi AOD Contractors’ Association and elder brother of the deceased, said medical authorities have preserved and sent viscera samples for forensic examination to determine the cause of death.
Beauty Baruah Borgohain, the deceased’s wife, said her husband was in normal health when he left for work. She stated that before entering the refinery premises, he had eaten puri-sabji at the AOD canteen. While she did not make any direct allegation, her statement has raised questions regarding food safety and hygiene standards at the canteen.
“He was fit and fine when he went on duty. He had no major medical history except for a retinal issue in one eye, for which he underwent treatment in Nepal about a month ago,” she said.
The family has expressed concern over the response from the refinery management and the contractor. Phunu Borgohain alleged that neither officials from the concerned refinery section nor representatives of M/S Vidya Caterers had visited the family after the incident.
He further said that despite significant expenditure on safety and security, the incident indicates gaps in the refinery’s emergency preparedness. “When a worker dies on duty, the system cannot wash its hands of responsibility,” he said, adding that the incident has highlighted the gap between safety claims and ground realities.
The deceased’s sister-in-law said an FIR has been lodged at the local police station seeking an investigation into the circumstances surrounding Borgohain’s death and demanding compensation for the family.
The incident has drawn reactions from contractual workers, labour organisations, and local residents, who are demanding deployment of full-time doctors at the First Aid Centre, expansion of CCTV coverage to all operational areas, a review of food safety practices at the canteen, and a high-level inquiry to determine accountability.
Paresh Borgohain was known in Digboi for his involvement in social and cultural activities and was regarded as a warm and approachable individual. His death has deeply affected his family and colleagues, who continue to seek clarity on the circumstances surrounding the incident.