NHRC sets 4-week deadline to W Burdwan DM, police on silicosis report
The Statesman | 4 January 2026
The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has taken cognisance of the silicosis issue in the Dendua region of Salanpur block and has issued reminders to the District Magistrate (DM) of West Burdwan, S Ponnambalam, and the Commissioner of Police (CP) of the Asansol-Durgapur Police Commissionerate (ADPC), Sunil Kumar Choudhary, seeking an action taken report (ATR) against polluting industries operating in the area.
The NHRC has made it clear that if the ATR is not submitted within four weeks, it will be compelled to exercise its powers under the Protection of Human Rights Act, 1993. A copy of the reminder has also been sent to the state Chief Secretary, Nandini Chakravorty, underscoring the seriousness of the matter.
Silicosis is reportedly spreading rapidly in the Salanpur block of the Asansol Sadar sub-division in West Burdwan district. It has been alleged that neither the police nor the administration took adequate action earlier. Local social worker Amarendra Mahato had approached the NHRC, alleging that silicosis patients were being incorrectly treated as tuberculosis cases under the DOTS programme and that factory managements should be held responsible for the victims.
Earlier, on 28 October, 2024, the NHRC had written to the West Burdwan DM and the ADPC Commissioner seeking a report within eight weeks following a complaint by a local teacher, Amarnath Mahato. The complaint alleged that stone and silica crushing units in the area were causing the spread of silicosis and that several labourers had already died.
Subsequently, on 17 November, 2024, a general diary (GD) entry (No. 513) was registered at Salanpur police station, directing verification of industrial units located in the Dendua area. The District Industries Centre and the West Bengal Pollution Control Board were asked to conduct physical verification of the factories, and the information was shared with local residents.
The NHRC had also sought the deployment of a technical expert team to measure silicon metalloid emissions from the factories, citing serious environmental and public health concerns. However, as the expert team’s report is still awaited, the Commission has issued fresh reminders, granting a final four-week deadline for submission of the ATR.
The NHRC has warned that failure to submit the required investigation and pollution reports within this period will invite legal action under the Protection of Human Rights Act, 1993.
In 2025, two residents of Salanpur block reportedly died due to silicosis, while several labourers have been diagnosed with the disease by the Medical Board constituted by the Chief Medical Officer of Health (CMOH), West Burdwan, and Asansol District Hospital following health screenings.
No official response has so far been received from either the West Burdwan District Magistrate or the Commissioner of Police, ADPC, on the issue.