Eight mine workers injured in firing in MP

Eight labourers were injured in a firing incident today at a limestone mine in Sagmania near here, police said.

The labourers, who were protesting the sacking of over 50 mine workers, pelted stones and ransacked the firm's office, they said.

According to Mazdoor Union sources, the cement factory management, with which the mine is associated, has imposed a ban on the recruitment of new labourers employed by the contractor.

The ban led to the dispute between union leader Kanhaiya Singh and the contractor's men.

When the situation went out of control, both the sides opened fire injuring eight labourers, Kulgavan police station incharge Vimal Shrivastava said.

The injured labourers, some of them in serious condition, were admitted in the district hospital here, he said adding two-rounds of empty cartridge shells have been by the police from the mine.

However, situation in the area is tense but under control and additional force has been deployed at the mine and near the factory premises.

Meanwhile, contact could not be established with the factory management.

So far, no arrests have been made in this regard.