Even as lockout was declared by the Balaji Spinning Mill management here on Monday, workers sat on a dharna in front of the mill in protest.
The workers have been staging agitations over work benefits for the last few days.
Although a meeting was held between the workers and the management on Saturday to sort out the issue, it had to be stopped as some union leaders were not allowed to attend the meeting, reportedly by the management. Protesting this move, some workers allegedly assaulted the personnel manager of the mill.
When the official concerned lodged a complaint with the police, the workers stopped work in the mill on Saturday evening. A counter case was also filed by the workers.
They alleged that although the district administration had earlier this year announced some schemes to be implemented in the mill for workers, no such step has been taken so far.
The workers said their agitation would continue till the management re-opens the mill.
Fire Tender Overturns
A fire tender overturned while on its way to Dhauga to extinguish a fire on Sunday. Although no one was injured, locals blocked the road alleging administrative apathy and delay in repairing of the heavily dilapidated road. They said owing to the worsening road condition, many accidents have taken place in the past.
The blockade was withdrawn after police intervened. The agitators were told that repair works of the road would begin in a week’s time.
Two Hacked to Death
Two persons, Gaurahari Nayak (33) and Ramahari Panda (50), were hacked to death by miscreants on Monday near Nandajuali canal. The duo had come to Balisira for shopping. Unidentified miscreants attacked them with swords while they were returning home. They were rushed to Aska government hospital where they were declared brought dead. A case has been registered and the bodies sent for post-mortem.