SNS reported that mining activities and transportation of chromites ore at Sukinda chromites valley has come to a grinding halt due to indefinite cease work strike by laborers from as many as twelve open cast mines following failure of police to nab the accused in the murder of Mr Rajesh Tanti, a trade union leader.

Mr Khadan Mazdoor Sangha the young unionist & secretary of Sukinda region was shot dead by motorcycle borne criminals, while he was returning home after his duty in Komarda mines in Sukinda chromites valley.

The report said that following the strike by the laborers and their supervisors, exploration of ore, loading and unloading and even transportation of minerals in Komarda, Tailangi, Sukrangi, Ostapal, COB, IMFA, Chingudipal, Kaliapani, ACC, Balasore Ispat, Jindal Stainless, South Kaliapani, Kathapal and Facor chromites mines in the valley has been stopped since yesterday.

As per the report, thousands of laborers of different mines of the Sukinda chromites valley had gheraoed Kaliapani police outpost protesting against the failure of police in arresting the killers.

Meanwhile, an indefinite economic blockade at Tomka on the Daitary Paradip Express Highway, launched by thousands of local people belonging to Tanti’s native area entered second day. The locals were agitated over police inaction and its failure to arrest assailants of trade union activist Tanti. They have also been staging demonstrations along the Express Highway and Tomka Sukinda chromites valley road at several locations by burning tyres in them bringing vehicular movement to a standstill, which has hit the transportation of minerals from both Daitary iron ore mines and Sukhinda valley.