Jajpur: The police and the district administration on Wednesday rescued Rita Singh, Chairman and Managing Director of Mesco Steel Ltd. from a hotel near Kalinga Nagar Industrial Estate in Odisha’s Jajpur district after she was detained for 24 hours by agitating workers.
She was rescued from the hotel at 3 pm by the Jajpur SP and ADM.
Talking to mediapersons later, Rita said that earlier, industrialists in Odisha were respected by the people and the government but now, the situation has changed.
“It was beyond my imagination that I would be dealt with in such a manner. I have no connection with Maithan Ispat Ltd. I am neither the managing director nor a stakeholder. Sipra Singh is my daughter and she is the head of this company. The manner in which I was detained is utterly illegal. Entrepreneurs should at least be respected,” she added.
She also said that she assured the workers of fulfilling their demand. “I told them that industries have good and bad times. Let the company run and once we get a financier, the situation will improve,” she pointed out.
The incident had taken place at 3 pm yesterday after workers detained Rita and staged a dharna in front of the hotel demanding their 10-month arrears and two-year bonus.
They did not allow the police to rescue Rita Singh saying that they will release her only after their demands are fulfilled.
Tension ran high when one of the workers attempted suicide after pouring kerosene on his body. However, he was immediately overpowered by the police.
The dharna continued on Wednesday with BJD MLA of Sukinda Priti Ranjan Ghadai joining the strike.
