Irate labourers torch MCL office, vehicles in Talcher

The retrenched coal loading labourers in Talcher, who have been protesting outside a branch office of Mahanadi Coalfields Ltd (MCL) demanding their reappointment by a contractor, today went on a rampage by torching about 40 vehicles and branch office of the coal miner, after their leader and local MLA was arrested yesterday.

The ravage took place at the at the Jagannath colliery railways siding in Talcher this afternoon. Though no formal police complaints have been lodged by either MCL or labour union, the district administration has deployed seven platoons of police to prevent further escalation of violence.

Sources said, the violence was preceded by a large rally of over 1,000 workers. They marched into the railway siding to demand re-employment of the workers who had been thrown out by the newly-engaged contractor responsible for loading coal at the railway siding. The protesters then went berserk and went on a rampage destroying anything that came on their way. They also set fire to the Jagannath colliery general manager's office damaging computers and other furniture.

"The protesters became violent after they were attacked by some miscreants, injuring our leader and local MLA among others," alleged an agitator. The district police said they are keeping an eye on the situation to check any untoward incident and are continuously discussing with locals to bring back normalcy in the area.