Tension prevailed at the Paradip Port after supervisor of a Chennai-based firm died in an accident at the harbour on Wednesday.
Police said the deceased Arun Chandra Sethi was a supervisor with a private firm Chennai Radha Works Ltd that had been roped in by the Port authorities to supply manpower for operation of mechanical coal
handling plant of the harbour.
Sethi belonged to Katipada of Mayurbhanj district and died when a speeding dumper hit him from behind near the harbour canteen at 9.20 am. As the news spread, hundreds of irate employees staged demonstration at the spot demanding compensation for the family of the deceased.
As a result of the protest, cargo handling was affected till 1 pm. Port authorities then directed CISF officials to restore normalcy in the area and the latter persuaded the agitators to call off strike. However, some of the workers assaulted CISF senior commandant Sintansu Sekhar Mishra following which, the security personnel resorted to lathi-charge. In the melee that ensued, six workers sustained injuries.
Paradip Port Trust authorities said the situation is now under control. A police case has been registered by the deceased’s father in the Marine police station. Driver of the dumper is absconding.