TALCHER:The body of a youth of Gopal Prasad village was found in a water body of Hingula open cast mine on Monday leading to protests by the villagers.
Sub-divisional Police Officer (SDPO) HK Panda said, Arabinda Mohanty (22) had gone to the mining area on Sunday and did not return till late. Efforts of the villagers to trace him also failed. On Monday morning, his body was found floating in a water body in the mine. This led to protests by locals, who detained the body and demanded ` 50 lakh cash compensation besides a regular job for Arabinda’s kin in MCL, the SDPO added. Mining operations at Hingula came to halt from morning due to the protests. The cause of death can be ascertained only after receiving the post mortem report, SDPO said.
Efforts to contact General Manager, Hingula area, KC Khutia failed.
A senior MCL official, however, said discussion is on with State officials and other stakeholders to find a solution.