March 25: A devastating accident in Sattribari has ignited outrage among residents after a minor girl lost her life due to alleged negligence at an under-construction building. The victim, identified as 10-year-old Papiya Barman, succumbed to her injuries after being struck by a falling brick inside her own home.

The tragic incident occurred around 5 PM on Monday when a brick from the upper floors of Golden Heights Apartment, an under-construction site, crashed through the tin roof of a nearby house. The heavy impact left Papiya with a severe head injury, prompting frantic efforts by locals to rush her to Nemcare Hospital. However, the hospital allegedly demanded ₹10 lakh for treatment, forcing the distraught family to shift her to Gauhati Medical College and Hospital (GMCH), where she tragically passed away.

Furious locals have accused the building authorities of reckless disregard for safety, claiming that no protective nets were installed despite ongoing construction. They allege that this was not the first instance of falling debris endangering residents and suspect that the construction itself is illegal.

Grieving family members, particularly Papiya's mother, have expressed their agony over what they call a preventable death. "Had she received timely treatment, my daughter could have been saved," she lamented, condemning the hospital’s alleged prioritization of money over human life.

In response, enraged residents have launched fierce protests, demanding justice for the child and immediate compensation for her family. Shops and businesses in the area have voluntarily shut down in solidarity, while locals have refused to perform the last rites until authorities address their demands.

Despite a formal complaint being lodged at the Paltan Bazar police station, no official case has been registered, further fueling the residents’ anger. Protesters have warned of escalating demonstrations and plan to bring Papiya’s body to the construction site after the post-mortem at GMCH, in a bid to pressure authorities into action.

The tragic loss of young Papiya has left the entire community in mourning, as demands for accountability grow louder.