A peaceful dharna over payment of pending salaries at the Essar Steel limited in Paradip turned violent on Monday as police tried to disperse the agitators and unlock the plant gate.
Plant employees were demanding payment of pending salaries for the last five months.
A few hours after the employees sat on the dharna, police reached there and asked them to vacate the place and unlock the gate. However, the agitators didn’t move from the place. When the cops tried to convince them further, a few of agitators reportedly said police were there to act in favour of the plant authorities. Consequently, a class ensued between them, sources said.
The mob went berserk and vandalised a police van. A police official was injured in the clash. Two platoons of police force have been deployed at the plant site to avoid any further untoward incidence.
Seven agitators have been arrested for resorting to violence and attacking policemen, source added.
“We have been demanding that the plant authorities soon clear our salary dues. Besides, our salary has not been increased for long. while out demand fell into deaf years, police interference has added to our woes only,” said an agitator. The officials of the company could not be contacted for comments.