JHARSUGUDA: In a shocking incident, co-workers of a seriously ailing labourer dumped him in Ib river assuming him to be dead. The incident came to light on Sunday after the camp supervisor grew suspicious when the workers failed to give satisfactory reply as to his whereabouts.
The labourer identified as Goutam Bhandari (44), a resident of West Bengal, was working in the Odisha Power Generation Corporation Limited (OPGC) plant at Banaharpali of the district. He was engaged by the BGR Energy for construction work.
On Saturday night, Goutam fell sick following which he was taken to Burla hospital in an SUV by his co-workers. However, when he stopped breathing on the way, the workers assumed him to be dead and threw him into Ib river from Rampela bridge and returned to their temporary camp.
Later, the camp supervisor informed police. On Sunday, fire officials and ODRAF team launched a search operation and retrieved the body of Goutam. Police led by DSP Norbit Kiro and Banaharpali IIC Purusottam Bhoi visited the spot and seized the body. The body was sent to local hospital for autopsy.
On Monday, Banaharpali police detained four employees of the BGR Energy for questioning. They are camp supervisor Kajal Patra, coworkers Nayan Dhar, Sanjeeb Tantubai, Subrat Choudhury and driver Arun Behera. Police also seized the vehicle.SP AK Mohanty said the BGR Energy has agreed to provide compensation of `2.5 lakh to the family of the deceased.