Tension ran high at Dhaurakhaman village under Chhendipada police limits in Angul district after a worker was buried alive during a pipe-laying work early Monday morning. A heap of soil caved in on him, leading to his death on the spot, sources said.
The incident sparked outrage in the village as angry villagers and relatives staged demonstration. They held the contractual company that had engaged the workers responsible and staged road blockade demanding necessary compensation for the bereaved family.
They accused the contractual company of not taking safety measures for the workers during the risky job.
According to sources, a contractual company had engaged the workers to lay pipes in the area. The worker had entered the canal to lay the pipes when a heap of soil caved in on him. Other workers rescued him and rushed to the local hospital. But, doctors declared him brought dead upon arrival.
Irate residents demanded Rs 50 lakh compensation for the worker’s family as he was the sole breadwinner of the family. Local police rushed to the spot and pacified the mob. A case was lodged in this connection following which the project manager agreed to pay compensation of Rs 11 lakh to the deceased’s family.
The agitation was called off after the project manager assured to pay the compensation and provide necessary help to the bereaved family.