Graphite India unit DGM burnt alive

R S Roy dies after his car is set afire by workers

In one of the worst incidents of industrial unrest, R S Roy, deputy general manager (operations) of Powmex Steel, a unit of Graphite India Ltd, died after his vehicle was set afire by irate workers today.

The incident took place outside the Titlagarh factory in Balangir district, at about 1 pm. Roy was on his way to the plant with an employee when they were attacked by 20-25 workers. The mob stopped the car and asked the driver and the staff to disembark, following which they set the vehicle on fire with Roy inside.

By the time the officer was rescued and admitted to the Balangir hospital, around 90 per cent of his body got burnt. He succumbed to his injuries at around 5 pm.

According to Ajai Sarangi, the Balangir superintendent of police, the agitating labourers had received information that the factory authorities were planning to terminate the services of some of them. “This became an issue by the workers’ union,” he said.

It was not immediately clear who set the vehicle on fire, the police said. “We have formed two squads to investigate the matter,” he added.