Baripada: A worker engaged in the construction of a bridge under Biju Setu Yojana died after falling into a deep pit near Badasahi under Betanati police station here in Mayurbhanj district on Thursday.
The deceased has been identified as Deepak Singh, a resident of Rasgovindpur in Mayurbhanj district.
According to reports, Singh accidentally fell into a water-filled deep pit dug for erecting a pillar of the bridge. He got stuck in a machine engaged in the excavation works which posed obstacles in rescuing him. He died on the spot.
The incident triggered tension in the area when the local villagers vandalised machines and thrashed an official of the construction company which was entrusted with the job bridge construction.
The irate locals staged a dharna near construction site placing the body demanding adequate compensation for the family of the dead worker.
Police reached the spot and tried to pacify the locals. The inspector-in-charge of the Betanati police station said that police have been deployed at the site to keep a strict vigil on the situation. The circumstances that led such mishap will be investigated, the IIC added.
The manager of the company who sustained injuries in the attack by the locals has been admitted to district headquarters hospital in Baripada.
Meanwhile, locals alleged that there was no safety protocols put in place which resulted in the mishap. They demanded adequate compensation and strict action against the one(s) found guilty for the incident.