Contractual workers of Talcher mine stage protest demanding Durga Puja bonus; opposed by another group

Tension prevailed in Talcher after two worker groups came at loggerheads allegedly over non-payment of Durga puja bonus to the contractual workers of the coal mine on Thursday.

As per reports, contractual labourers of Talcher mine have been staging a demonstration in the area for the last few days demanding Durga Puja bonus. However, another group of workers had a confrontation with the protestors on Thursday night as they demanded the roads to be cleared so that movement of vehicles could take place and resumption of mining activities.

As a result, tension prevailed in the area as both groups indulged in a war of words and confrontation with each other. It is alleged that police personnel remained a mere spectator.

“As per the rule of MCL, the contractual workers should be provided the bonus. However, the workers are yet to get it. We have staged a protest to give justice to them,” said Chittaranjan Sahu, a protestor.

“We don’t know exactly why the mine work has been stopped. MCL authorities and Odisha government officials have also no answer about the protest,” said Tapas Sahu, a member of the group demanding the functioning of the mine.

No reaction from the police could be obtained in this regard.