Prohibitory orders were imposed and protesters removed from the private Bhushan Steel Plant where a worker was killed in a fire and blast last week at Meramundali in Dhenkanal district.
Altogether 24 protesters, including six women and former MP Rudra Narayan Pani, sitting at the main gate of the plant since the fire demanding a thorough investigation were removed, police said.
District Collector Rupa Roshan Sahoo said the district administration imposed prohibitory orders under section 144 of CrPC in the plant in order to maintain peace.
Labour Minister Bijayshree Routray said there was violation of labour and environment laws by the plant authorities.
"We will conduct a thorough into the entire incident," he said.
Congress leader Narashingha Mishra demanded institution of a murder case against owners of the plant saying that negligence led to the mishap.
Trade unions demanded a judicial probe while the BJP has demanded a CBI investigation.
Meanwhile, 14 more foreign engineers working at the plant were moved out. Yesterday, 42 of them were moved to hotels in Bhubaneswar.
The fire and explosion at the took place on November 13.
