Jharsuguda: Director of Veer Surendra Sai (VSS) Airport in Odisha’s Jharsuguda has landed in trouble with an employee, accusing him of hurling casteist slurs and physical violence.
A case has been registered against airport director Sandeep Tiwari on basis of the complaint filed by Sandip Kumar Minz, a senior attendant and president of Jharsuguda unit of All Airports Employees’ Union, at Airport police station here.
Minz claimed he met Tiwari around 10.45 am on Tuesday to discuss employee welfare issues, but the conversation turned into an altercation when he raised a specific concern. Following which, the airport director used caste-based insults and physically attacked him, causing injuries.
“The union holds monthly meetings. I had sought the director’s permission to discuss the minutes of the meeting. A person from HR was also present. One particular case related to illegal lifting of sand, stone chips and ash dumped near the airport premises became a bone of contention. Truckloads of these construction materials are being transported from here for business purposes. He tried to suppress the matter and asked to get it removed from the list. When I insisted on a response, he made caste-based remarks. He also threatened me with dire consequences, punched me in the face and also kicked me. I fell down unconscious,” he told reporters.
Minz reportedly suffered injuries in the attack and was taken to Jharsuguda district headquarters hospital for treatment. The OPD assessment revealed that he sustained abrasions on his chest and back and a facial injury requiring dental consultation.
Later, Minz along with members of the employees’ union went to Airport police station and lodged a complaint against Tiwari.
Tiwari has denied the allegations, calling them baseless. However, the employees’ union condemned the incident and demanded Tiwari’s transfer, citing repeated workplace misconduct.
IIC of Airport police station Hemangini Gardia said the airport director has been booked under Sections 115 (2), 296, and 351 (3) of the BNS. Additionally, provisions of the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989 have also been invoked including sections 3 (1) (r), 3 (1) (s), 3 (2) and 5 A, he added.