Labourer's death sparks tension at Aarti Steel Plant

Cuttack: Tension prevailed at Aarti steel plant in Athagarh after the workers staged a demonstration demanding compensation for the family of a labourer who died in a private hospital in Cuttack this morning.

According to sources, the deceased labourer, identified as Manas Swain of Dwarabatipur, was undergoing treatment at the hospital after being hit by a dumper inside the plant on Friday.

The incident took place when Swain was standing and the dumper driver, while reversing the vehicle, crushed him under the vehicle. Critical, Swain was rushed to a private hospital where he succumbed to his injuries today.

The family of the deceased along with the locals later staged a demonstration outside the plant gate demanding maximum compensation. Meanwhile, the plant authorities, in presence of Athagarh Tehsildar pacified the irate locals and are having discussion with them, sources added.

This is not the first such incident reported from the Aarti Steel Plant. Sources said a labourer had died in a similar way a few months ago after getting crushed under a dumper inside the plant.

Though a press meet was also organised by the plant authorities to implement safety and security guidelines for the labourers, there has been no permanent solution to curb such incidents, the workers further alleged.