54 contract labourers try to self-immolate

A total of 54 contract labourers of BRO today allegedly tried to self-immolate in Sonitpur district demanding regularisation of their jobs.
"As per our information, the labourers have been demanding regularisation of their jobs and better amenities and to press for their demands. 54 of them tried to self-immolate in front of the office of the Vartak Chief Engineer," Superintendent of Police Sanjukta Parasar said.
Parasar said police detained the persons, who were admitted to hospital later.
The 54 persons were working as contract labourers for a long period under Border Roads Organisation's project 'Vartak'.
The labourers poured kerosene on their bodies and were about to lit the fire when the media personnel and police prevented them, government officials and local people said.

Apart from Prasar, Sonitpur Deputy Commissioner Lalit Gogoi also rushed to the spot and brought the situation under control.

The district administration and police praised the roled of media in the incident.
About 350 labourers, working as casual workers under 'Project Vartak' for a long time are yet to be regularised as per the BRO regulations, a spokesman of the INTUC-affiliated union said.
The union claimed that last month, the workers had sent letters to District Judge, Deputy Commissioner, as well as Supreme Court Chief Justice, President of India, Prime Minister and International Labour Organistaion airing their grievance.