In a bizarre incident, at least 10 officials of an industrial unit at Adityapur in Seraikela Kharsawan district were held hostage by the relatives of an accident victim and their supporters for the past 24 hours.
However, after a series of talks, they were released on Wednesday afternoon after Rs 5 lakh were paid to the family members as compensation. Under the banner of political outfit, the Republican Party of India (RPI), the protestors locked the gate of the industrial unit, Vijayshree Autocam Industries limited located at phase-V of Adityapur industrial area since 10 am on Tuesday.
They were demanding compensation for the death of a contract worker, Kanto Mardi, who had sustained fatal injuries in a mishap which took place at the factory premises on July 10.
Mardi (35), who hailed from Bankura district of neighbouring Bengal, was admitted to the Tata Main Hospital, but he succumbed to his injuries the same day. The same day, the company management gave a cheque of Rs 2 lakh to the victim's widow, Amuli Mardi. They also gave a written assurance of providing her with permanent employment at the Vijayshree Autocam Industries before the body was sent to the MGM Medical College mortuary for post-mortem.
However, the relatives of the mishap victim and the co-villagers were not satisfied with the compensation package. As the company management refused to pay more of the compensation, the protestors locked up the company gate at about 10 am on Tuesday, resulting in about 200 workers, including 25 women workers inside the plant.
The Gamharia police had forced the protestors to release 190 workers, including 25 women workers around midnight, but asked the 10 officials from the management side to remain inside the company premises. The rest of the activists of Republican Party of India stage demonstration at company premises.