Three Assam residents, including two from Cachar tea gardens, died in the Goa nightclub fire. Families seek government help to bring bodies home.
Family members said on Monday that Manjit was the sole earning member of the household and had visited home just five months ago to help arrange his younger sister’s marriage.
Guwahati: Three people from Assam were among the 25 who died in the devastating Goa nightclub fire, with two of the victims belonging to tea garden communities in Cachar district. Their families have appealed to the government for assistance in bringing the bodies back home.
According to the official list released by the Goa authorities, the Cachar victims have been identified as 24-year-old Manjit Mal and 32-year-old Rahul Tanti, both from tea worker families.
Manjit Mal, a resident of Silcoorie Grant (5th Division) and the son of tea garden worker Monilal Mal, had moved to Goa about 18 months ago in search of livelihood. He had been working as a cook at the nightclub. After the tragedy, Manjit’s family contacted other workers from Assam living in Goa and requested them to take charge of his body.
Family members said on Monday that Manjit was the sole earning member of the household and had visited home just five months ago to help arrange his younger sister’s marriage.
“He worked so hard in Goa and was supporting us. Our lives had begun to improve because of him, but God has been cruel to us,” the family said.
The second victim, Rahul Tanti, belonged to Kathal Grant in Cachar. Two of his siblings, who also work in Goa, collected his body. The family said they lacked the financial means to travel to Goa themselves.
“We could not believe he was gone. When the call came around 2:30 am, we thought he was injured. Later, his brothers confirmed his death. We request government help to bring the body home,” said Rahul’s father, Banul Tanti.
Rahul leaves behind two daughters and a two-month-old son. His wife, Sukriti Tanti, said, “We were waiting for him to return soon. Instead, his body is returning. My world is shattered. I don’t know how I will raise the children.”
The third victim from Assam was 30-year-old Diganta Pator of Matikhola in Dhemaji district. He had been working at the nightclub for several years. His family has already collected the body and is bringing it home.
