Retrenched workers continue stir for second day in Paradip

Paradip: After braving harsh weather conditions for an entire night under open sky, the retrenched workers of Cargill India Company and their families today continued their protest before the main gate of Adani Wilmar Ltd in Paradip on Thursday.

Efforts made by the district administration to resolve the dispute on Wednesday evening, failed to yield any results even as the 152 workers of the company and their families squatted in protest demanding jobs at the Adani Wilmar Ltd.

"Some goons hired by the company authorities threatened us to end the stir yesterday night but we will not budge unless our demands are met," an agitator said.

The workers were retrenched from their jobs after the company shut down following losses in 2016. Although it was recently taken over by Adani Wilmar Ltd, none of the retrenched workers were reinstated.

The workers alleged that despite repeated plea for jobs, the company officials remained indifferent following which they resorted to strike in March this year. In order to avoid violence, the district administration clamped prohibitory orders under Section 144 in the area.

Meanwhile, five platoons of police have been deployed in the spot to maintain law and order and avoid any untoward incident.

The protestors have threatened to intensify their protest, if their demands are not fulfilled.