Bhubaneswar: Amid the ongoing indefinite cease-work strike of Fire Services personnel over various demands, the Fire Services department today suspended six of its personnel on charges of dereliction of duty and involvement in indiscipline behaviour.
As per information provided by the office of Central Range Fire Officer in Cuttack, two personnel of Chitrada Fire Station in Mayurbhanj, Daspalla and Baliapal each were suspended following allegations that the fire brigade units did not attend calls made for help in case of drowning and fire mishap cases.
Yesterday, a three-year-old baby fell into a well at Dakoie village in Mayurbhanj district and locals sought help from the fire brigade. But, no one turned up due to the strike by the Fire Services personnel.
Similarly, houses of at least five families were reduced to ashes after a major fire broke out at Srirampur in Daspalla of Nayagarh district on Monday night. However, the Fire Services personnel allegedly refused to come for rescue operation citing the strike, alleged locals.
Demanding a salary equivalent to that of Odisha police, regularisation of contractual employees, immediate disbursal of pension of retired employees and registration of Havildar fireman association, the Fire Services personnel has been observing strike since Monday. According to sources, more than 5000 firemen, havildars, drivers and drivers of the department have joined the agitation.