Four labourers were seriously injured in an industrial accident while they were working in the premises of the Band Alloys Industry at Murusuan near Palaspanga April 1.
Dipa Munda, Niranjan Naik, Dushashan Mahanta and Gurubari Munda received burn injuries and had to be admitted to the district hospital here the same day. Three of them injured labourers had to be shifted to Cuttack for specialised treatment while the other was transferred to a private nursing home here.
Demanding compensation of Rs 10 lakh for the victims along with all their medical expenses, hundreds of local demonstrated in front of the industry gate. They alleged that the company has been running the plant without experienced and qualified staff, for which accidents are occurring at regular intervals in the industry premises. The company has also failed to implement pollution control measures, for which the nearby river, streams and villages are badly polluted, they further alleged.
A senior manager of Band Alloys, PK Sahoo, discussed with the agitating villagers but could not reach any solution of the issues. The villagers have demanded a high-level inquiry by the Director of Factory and Boilers, the SPCB and the labour Department regarding the safety and pollution control measures by the company.
The normal factory work was hampered by the agitation.