Khuntuni: Tension prevailed at Aarti Steel Plant after scores of people from Dwarabatipur and Ghantikhala in Khuntuni police limits staged a demonstration in front of the plant demanding compensation for the family of a labourer, who died at a private nursing home in Cuttack Saturday morning.
As per reports, the deceased Manas Swain of Dwarabatipur, a contractual labourer, was undergoing treatment at the hospital after being hit by a truck while on duty inside the plant premises Friday.
Sources said the mishap took place when a truck driver, while reversing the vehicle, hit Swain. He was rushed to a private nursing home in a critical condition where he succumbed to his injuries Saturday.
The deceased’s family along with hundreds of locals staged a protest outside Gate No 1 and 2 of the plant at around 8 am demanding compensation. When informed, Khuntuni inspector-in-charge Satyabrata Lenka, along with a police team, rushed to the spot and took stock of the situation.
Meanwhile, the irate people also raised concerns over lack of safety measures in the plant. They recalled a similar incident that had happened two years ago in which a labourer was crushed by a truck inside the plant.
Some labourers have alleged that despite several complaints made to the plant authorities, no steps have been taken to install safety measures in the plant. Besides, it is also alleged, that the plant authorities are yet to issue proper guidelines for the safety of labourers.
Later, Choudwar SDPO Satyanarayan Das and Athagarh tehsildar Binod Jena reached the spot and held discussions with the agitators. The protest was withdrawn after the plant authorities announced Rs 8 lakh compensation to the family of Manas and a job in the plant to the next of kin of the deceased.
