Worker’s Death Sparks Tension In Odisha’s Joda; Police Lathi-Charge Protesters Demanding Compensation

Keonjhar: Tension prevailed in Joda area of Odisha’s Keonjhar district on Monday when workers of a private company staged a demonstration protesting alleged delay in payment of compensation to the family of a colleague who died last week.

As per sources, police reportedly resorted to cane-charge to disperse the protesting workers when they were staging a demonstration near the raw material project site of the company. The workers sought immediate steps to pay compensation to the bereaved family.

They said Bittu Ram, who was engaged by an outsourced firm, died in a mishap last week. While his family members demanded adequate compensation for his death, over 2,000 workers also launched a cease work agitation in support of the demand.

The workers alleged that though they have been pressing for compensation for the last three days, no step has so far been taken by the company in this regard.

While no senior official of the private company was available for comment, sources said talks are now underway with the authorities concerned to resolve the issue.