Irate locals torched at least eight vehicles following the death of a labourer in a stone crusher unit at Gumulei village under the Rengali police station in Sambalpur district on Friday.
Tension ran high in the area as the mob set ablaze the vehicles, including two JCB machines and a diesel tanker.
The deceased was identified as Niroj Behera. He had gone to work in morning as per his usual schedule. He was crushed under the belt while working in the crusher unit. He died on the spot.
When the news of the accident spread, the locals went on a rampage and set the vehicles afire. Besides, the mob blocked the nearby road for hours disrupting vehicular movement to Sambalpur. Being informed about the incident, fire tenders and police rushed to the spot. The owner and other staffs of the crusher fled the unit after the mishap.
locals alleged that they have been demanding closure of the crusher unit since long but to no avail. Their appeals have fallen into deaf ears and no action has been initiated against the unit for causing pollution in the area.