Police pick up Jamihara Krushak Ekta Manch members from Paradip refinery

Paradip: Police today forcibly picked up the members of the Jamihara Krushak Ekta Manch who had staged a dharna in front of the main gate of IOCL’s (Indian Oil Corporation Ltd ) Paradip Refinery. The members of the Manch have been demanding  permanent jobs for land losers and displaced families.

As per sources, all of them have been shifted them to a cyclone shelter, some 3 kms away from the refinery. The action was initiated after the members of the Manch threatened to oppose the scheduled visit of Union Ministers to the place on February 6.

"The company authorities had assured that they would fulfill our demands but no concrete steps have been taken so far. If Union minister Dharmendra Prahan will not  pay any heed to our demands, we will strongly oppose his visit," said adviser of  Jamihara Krushak Ekta Manch, Abhaya Sahu.

The protestors alleged that they were earlier given assurance by the authorities for regular jobs but the company is defying the rules now. The outfit further threatened to continue the strike until their demands are fulfilled.

However, apprehending trouble during the visit of Union Ministers on February 6, police was forced to pick them up and shifted them to the nearby cyclone shelters till the matter is resolved.

Comments from IOCL authorities could not be obtained on the matter.