Tension flares up after youth dies in factory mishap in Odisha; kin stage dharna for body, compensation

Tension prevailed on the premises of a private company in Balasore on Saturday following the death of a worker who was undergoing treatment at a hospital after being critically injured in a mishap during work.

The deceased has been identified as Pitamabar Patra, a resident of Radhakishorepur in the Nilagiri area. He was allegedly injured in the mishap while he was on duty on April 12.

He was admitted to a private hospital in Kolkata where he reportedly passed away on April 25.  
It is alleged that his body has not been handed over to the bereaved family.

Braving the scorching heat, his family members along with members of the Anchalika Bikash Sangathan, a local outfit, staged protests and launched a dharna in front of the company office, demanding immediate handover of the body and compensation to the next of kin of the deceased.

Ganeswar Patra, the bother of the deceased, said, “My brother died at the hospital on April 25. His body is not being handed over to us. I appeal to the company to send the body to my house. The company is delaying.”

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Sanjib Jena, one of the agitating youths said, "Pitambar had an accident on April 12. He was referred to Cuttack, but the company took him to a private hospital in Kolkata. We are unaware of what treatment was provided to him there. Even the post-mortem of the body has not been conducted. We suspect the company wants to decompose the body there.” 

However, no comments were received from the company authorities.

(Report by Chandrakant Jena)