52 arrested for vandalism at Suraj Sponge Iron plant in Rajgangpur

Sundergarh: The ongoing agitation of 'Pathargadi Rudhibadi Manch'  took a violent turn on Monday after its members allegedly ransacked property inside Suraj Sponge Iron company premises in Rajgangpur.

Alleging that the company illegally acquired land of their people, the protestors had staged a demonstration in front of the plant today. Later, the agitators ransacked a boundary wall and damaged machineries and other equipment.

Keeping in view the unrest at Suraj Sponge Iron, senior police officials including DIG Kabita Jalan, Rourkela SP and Sundergarh collector reached the spot to take a stock of the situation.

Senior police officials said that 52 protestors have been arrested even though 140 persons were earlier detained and taken into preventive custody from the spot.

"Some people who were protesting near the factory were destroying the boundary wall. Nobody has been injured in the incident and the situation is under control now," said Jalan.

A senior official of  Suraj Sponge Iron, Biswajit Mishra said, "Some people have done this for their personal gain. Our company has been running smoothly for last 25 years and we have even employed local villagers."

Keeping in view palpable tension, two platoons of police force has been deployed to maintain law and order.