CUTTACK: Tension flared up on the premises of Aarti Steel and Power Limited at Ghantikhal in Athagarh on Wednesday night following the death of a contractual labourer.
Irate locals ransacked the company’s security office and staged demonstration accusing the management of neglecting safety concerns and failing to provide proper means of treatment to injured labourers.
Sources said three persons, an engineer and two contractual labourers, had sustained severe burns in an accident while working inside the plant on April 8. One of the injured labourers, Chandan Das (24) of Dahisara village in Mahakalbasta Gram Panchayat, who was admitted to a private hospital in Cuttack, succumbed to his injuries on Wednesday afternoon.
Following his death, more than 200 locals rushed to Gate No 2 and started pelting stones at the security office. They also set fire to documents and properties inside the office.
On being informed, Athagarh Sub Collector Harish Chandra Nayak, Additional SP, Cuttack KC Samal and SDPO Sudam Charan Sahu rushed to the spot along with police force. Till reports last came in, the officials were in talks with the irate locals and company authorities for an amicable settlement.