Irate Orissa steel plant workers burn manager alive
04 Mar 2011
An executive of a small-scale steel plant was burnt alive by agitating workers at Titlagarh, about 450 km from the Orissa capital of Bhubaneshwar, on Thursday, as they set his car on fire while he was trapped inside.
The incident is said to be an outcome of brewing resentment over the dismissal of some workers from the plant. A year and a half ago, the management had suspended about 60 workers. Tension peaked on Wednesday after the management reportedly prepared dismissal letters of 11 more workers.
Police said that about 30 workers blocked the vehicle of AK Ray, deputy general manager (operations) of Powmex Steel, near the plant while he was on his way for home for lunch. Some workers poured petrol and kerosene into the vehicle and set it afire.
Some locals rushed to rescue the 61-year-old Ray, but by then he suffered critical burn injuries. The locals took him to the Indira Gandhi Hospital, Rourkela; but he was dead on arrival.
The police have launched a manhunt to nab the culprits. After Ray's death, the management has decided to shut down the plant for an indefinite period.
Ray, had retired from the plant, but had been given an extension. He is survived by his wife and three daughters.
The plant, now owned by Graphite India Ltd, started with Rs100-crore seed capital in 1991. It has about 500 regular and contractual workers. The details of company's present investment and turnover were not immediately available.
