12 injured in clash between labourers and security men

Paradip: At least 12 people were injured in a clash between labourers and security personnel of a private steel company here today over alleged torching of a thatched structure inside the plant premises.

Angry over burning of the structure, used by some workers for a long time, a group of labourers attacked plant officials and security personnel besides ransacking furniture and other equipment, police sources said.

"About 30to35 outside labourers attacked me and my colleagues with lethal weapons as we were entering the plant premises.?All of us have sustained injuries," said P K Gupta, head of Essar Steel India's Paradeep complex.

The labourers also assaulted security persons deployed at the main gate and other employees, Gupta said adding none of these labourers were recognised workers nor had valid identity cards of the company.

Following attack by the labourers, security persons of the plant retaliated to chase away the miscreants who indulged in vandalism inside the premises, sources said.In the clash that ensued, at least 12 persons including about eight officials and securitymen of the steel land were injured, they said.

Contractual Worker Union President Raju Singh and General Secretary Tofan Sui said the incident took place when the labourers found that the thatched house inside the plant premises had been set ablaze.

Since the plant officials had been asking the labourers to demolish the structure for the last 2-3 months, the workers suspected it was handiwork of company and went on a rampage, they said.

"The situation is now under control. We are keeping a close watch," said Inspector In-Charge of Chakradharpur police station, Jyoti Samantray.