Keonjhar, July 16: Tension mounted in Palaspanda area here Thursday when an employee of Orissa Sponge Iron plant die all of a sudden. Angry people staged a dharna outside the collectorate, keeping the body on the road. They demanded compensation for the bereaved family.
The employee Kandara Mahakud (48) of Saraskola village had reportedly gone to a senior officer of the plant to ask his pending dues. Money was required for the admission of his children in a school. During the meeting with the official, Mahakud felt uneasy and later fell ill on reaching home. He was immediately admitted to a hospital where he succumbed.
The agitating people alleged that the company authorities are not opening the closed plant, despite a court order. Many employees who have been rendered jobless after the closure of the company, are living in misery while their arrears are to be cleared.
Locals alleged that the company had acquired two acres of land of Mahakud on the promise of a job. Mahakud’s son Manas told the media that his father was frequently running to the office to get his GPF and arrear money, but in vain.
The additional district magistrate held discussions with the agitators and provided Rs 20,000 from Red Cross fund. Later, the agitation was withdrawn. PNN
