One dead, another critical in stone-crusher machine mishap at Odisha’s Jajpur

A labourer allegedly died while another sustained grievous injuries in a tragic mishap at a stone crusher unit in Jajpur’s Dharmashala block.

As per reports, the mishap occurred when the labourers were changing the wheels of the machine which was operating at Rahadapur village in the district.

The identities of the deceased and the injured are yet to be ascertained.

The injured was initially admitted to a nearby hospital, but he was later shifted to SCB Medical College and Hospital in Cuttack for treatment.

Tension erupted in the area following the mishap with locals alleging that the crusher unit was running illegally without any license. The locals were particularly infuriated after finding the body of the deceased labourer in the back of a pickup truck with a black polythene sheet on it.

The locals alleged the owner of the crusher unit was trying to dispose of the body clandestinely in order to evade police investigation. They blocked the road near Samparu village demanding appropriate compensation for the families of the deceased and injured.

“No crusher unit in this area has NOC to operate. No local labourers get work at the units. The owners are bringing labourers from other states to work here. A yet-to-be-identified labourer from an unknown place was injured when a loose wheel of the crusher machine came out. He breathed his last on the way to the hospital,” said a local Lokanath Bharati.

“His body was being taken to an unknown place by covering it with a polythene. But we apprehended it and detained the vehicle. We demand Rs 50 lakh compensation for the keen of the deceased. We want the owner of the crusher unit to come here and produce his documents in front of the magistrate,” he said.

Police reached the spot following the road blockade and tried to pacify the agitated locals.

No comments could be obtained from the police or the crusher unit owner in this regard.