3 die in Goalpara septic tank; Army man among victims

Guwahati: Three people died in Goalpara district on Friday after reportedly entering a septic tank for cleaning work, police said. One of the deceased was an Indian Army personnel posted in Kashmir who had returned home for the holidays about a week earlier. The incident has raised concern among locals over the lack of safety measures during such hazardous operations.

The tragedy occurred in Goalpara’s Goraimari area under Agia Police Station. The deceased have been identified as Jasak Rabha, Krishna Rai, and Dilip Das. Another person, Bajpayee Rabha, was rescued by locals but remains in critical condition. Police said he is undergoing treatment in the ICU.

“All of them were taken to Nidhanu Ram Rajbongshi Civil Hospital. Bajpayee is currently under treatment, and the other bodies have been sent for post‑mortem examination,” said Agia PS officer‑in‑charge Dibyajyoti Kalita.

Kalita added that the incident occurred at Jasak Rabha’s house, which was under construction. He, a member of the third battalion of the Mahar Regiment, and the labourers had entered the septic tank, closed for two months, to clean and repair it. “We suspect that toxic gases trapped inside the tank caused suffocation, leading to the fatal accident,” the officer said.

Police have registered a case of unnatural death at Agia Police Station and initiated an investigation to determine the exact circumstances.

Eyewitnesses said Krishna Rai first entered the tank and lost consciousness due to lack of oxygen. Dilip Das rushed in to rescue him but also collapsed. Before fainting, he called out to Jasak Rabha for help. Hearing the cries, Jasak and Bajpayee Rabha entered the tank to save them but were overcome by the toxic fumes.