NTPC workers protest against CISF men

ANGUL:Demanding action against CISF Deputy and Assistant Commandants, hundreds of workers resorted to cease work and staged dharna in front of the administrative office of NTPC Power Station at Kaniha for six hours on Friday.

However, the cease work did not have any impact on production of the plant, NTPC sources said.
On Wednesday night, CISF personnel allegedly attacked NTPC workers, including two leaders of a recognised trade union of the power plant at township area. The incident took place during the immersion procession of Lord Viswakarma in their residential colony. Despite having valid permission for the procession, the workers were stopped by CISF personnel. A heated exchange ensued following which hundreds of CISF men assaulted the NTPC workers in which two trade union leaders, Satyananda Sahu and Dillip Pradhan, sustained injuries.

Complaints from both the sides were lodged in NTPC police station. In his FIR, Sahu had named CISF Deputy and Assistant Commandants among others as the accused.Sahu, who is also general secretary of the trade union, said the protest will continue till the CISF officials and others involved in the violence are arrested and removed from the plant premises. “We will intensify our agitation if our demands are not met,” he said.

Sources said following the incident, the IG of CISF has reached the NTPC plant. An official of NTPC said the matter has been intimated to top CISF authorities for further action.