Lakhanpur: Tension ran high as co-workers of Goutam Bhandari (44), who was dumped into the Ib river by fellow some colleagues presuming him to be died while taking him to VIMSAR hospital for treatment Saturday, demanded compensation to the deceased’s family.
Demanding necessary compensation for Bhandari’s family, angry workers of BGR Company, a contractor of Odisha Power Generation Corporation (OPGC) plant, ceased work Monday and staged an agitation when they learnt that the contractual company was trying to suppress the matter.
The entire day’s work was stalled due to the agitation. The local police had to intervene to bring the situation under control.
Later, the additional tehsildar and acting magistrate Premanand Urma, DSP Norabit Kiro, Brajarajnagar IIC Biswamitra Haripal, Banaharpali IIC Purushottam Bhoi, Kumbharbandh outpost officer Suresh Bhainsal, Bandhabahal outpost officer Saroj Nayak and other officials visited the site and pacified the mob.
A tripartite meeting was called in this connection wherein the contractual company assured to provide compensation of Rs 2.5 lakh to kin of the deceased. Bhandari is left behind by his ailing and physically-challenged elderly mother.
The compensation amount would be given to his elderly mother, the officials said. Moreover, the contractual company also promised to bear all the expenses of sending the body safely to the deceased’s village for the last rites.
Earlier, police had arrested the accused labourers, who have been identified as Kajal Patra, Sanjeev Tantubai, Subrat Chaudhary and Nayan Dhar.
Bhandari was engaged as a contractual labourer in the (OPGC) plant at Banaharpali area in Jharsuguda district. Four co-workers set off with him to VSS Institute of Medical Sciences and Research (VIMSAR) in Burla after he was affected of fever.
However, mid-way through the journey, the four accused dumped him in the Ib river presuming him to be dead as his breathing had stopped.
On being informed, the local administration with the help of police, firefighters and the Odisha Disaster Rapid Action Force (ODRAF) team launched a joint operation in the river and recovered the body.
The incident drew a huge flak from all quarters.
PNN
