Killing of Powmex Steel executive: State seeks report from collector, SP

The Orissa government has asked for a report from the Bolangir collector and the superintendent of police on the circumstances leading to the killing of an executive of Powmex Steel, a unit of Graphite India Ltd, at Titlagarh in Bolangir district.

Efforts are also being made by the state government to iron out a settlement between the suspended workers and the steel plant authorities. The labour unrest in the plant, spanning over last two years, had culminated in yesterday’s violent incident.

The police have detained two persons in connection with their involvement in the incident and they are being interrogated.

Meanwhile, the Powmex Steel management has shut down the plant indefinitely following the killing of its executive by the workers.

R S Roy, deputy general manager (operations), Powmex Steel, was burnt alive at Titlagarh at around 1 pm on Thursday by the irate workers, who were suspended by the company authorities on grounds of indiscipline. Roy who sustained critical burns, was first admitted in a local hospital and later shifted to the Bolangir district headquarter hospital. He finally succumbed to the injuries at about 5 pm.

"Efforts are being made to work out an amicable settlement between the disgruntled workers and the company authorities. On February 28, I had assured the irate workers to take up their grievances with the company authorities but the incident occurred as both sides remained adamant and stuck to their respective stands. The authorities of Powmex Steel had suspended 57 workers and were prepared to reinstate all barring 11 workers who were removed on grounds of indiscipline”, Puspendra Singh Deo, minister for labour & employment told mediapersons.

T Ramchandru, principal secretary (industries) said, “The incident (killing of the steel plant executive) is very unfortunate. We have asked for a report from the Bolangir collector and the superintendent of police in this connection.”

"People who are involved in the killing of the steel plant official will be apprehended. We have formed three squads for this purpose and they are in operation. All steps will be taken to maintain law and order as well as security at the plant site”, said Ajai Sarangi, the Bolangir superintendent of police.