October 08, 2008

Orissa\'s steel hub tense as worker dies in mishap

IANS reported that tension gripped Orissa's steel hub at Kalinga Nagar in Jajpur district Friday following the death of a worker at a steel plant.

Following the incident, hundreds of workers staged protests at the plant, demanding compensation and work for the victim's family. Production work at the plant was hampered due to the protests. Police were deployed at the site, following the huge demonstration by the workers.

Mr Ramesh Chandra Padhi officer in charge of the Jakhapura police station told IANS that “The victim was immediately rushed to a hospital, where doctors declared him brought dead.”
Mr DS Kute district police chief told IANS that “Though the situation is tense here, it is under control.”

Mr Bidyadhar Mohanty, district president of the Indian National Trade Union Congress said that “Accidents at the Kalinga Nagar steel plant is common since the management never addressed the problems of the workers.”

Trade union leaders alleged that the plant management had not taken any safety measures despite repeated pleas by the workers.