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Rayagada: Even after 18 days, stalemate continues over protests in front of Indian Metals & Ferro Alloys Ltd (IMFA) plant at Therubali in Rayagada. Another tripartite meeting between the company officials, district administration and a group of 25 agitators is underway at the Collector's office since evening today to resolve the problem. Rayagada Collector, SP, IMFA's senior GM, DGM & public relations officer are present in the meeting.
On the other hand, amid the ongoing protests in front of the plant, allegations have surfaced that the company's security personnel are being threatened by the agitators.
As per sources, three youths who had arrived yesterday to join as security guards at the IMFA plant were forcefully stopped by the protestors. The three along with two more local youths were escorted by the agitators to the local police station from where police reportedly sent them to their homes, informed sources.
Similarly, the agitators today threatened the security guards of the company asking them to stop working and also handed over five of them to police. Following such threats, the security guards have returned home in a state of panic.
"One person came and said he has to meet one ITI student residing inside the plant premises. When I opened the gate nearly 20 persons entered inside and dragged me to the police station," said a security guard, Pratap Nayak.
"While our strike is underway and our issues have not been resolved how can the company provide employment to youths from Bolangir and Kalahandi. These allegations are baseless and the security guards are still living happily; our people have not harmed anyone," said a protestor, Jitu Jakasika.
On the other hand, police has denied the allegation that security guards of IMFA are being kidnapped.
"No security guard has been detained and brought to the Police station. No such incident of abduction has happened today also," said Rayagada SDPO, Rajkishore Das.
MD & CEO of IMFA, Subhrakant Panda replying to a follower, who alleged that the agitators have tied up some security personnel of the plant near its gate and that too in presence of police; tweeted, "An impression is being created that this is a peaceful, democratic protest by employees. In reality, employees are being threatened, intimidated and now even kidnapped by outsiders who have no link with the company or the locality. 18 days and counting... "
Replying to Subhrakant's above tweet, Kendrapara MP Baijayant Panda tweeted,"Odisha's become the wild, wild east! If you're related to me in anyway, beware the wrath of the powers that be. Instead of maintaining law & order, they will organise its utter breakdown..."
Meanwhile, Industries Minister, Ananta Das, when asked about the stalemate at IMFA, passed on the buck to the Labour department.
"The Industries department is not concerned about the unrest at IMFA as it is reportedly a labour dispute the Labour department will look into it. The State government has instructed that the district administration will take appropriate measures," said Anant Das.
