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20 injured as workers clash with CISF at NTPC plant

Management accused of lack of safety measures to avoid such incidents Accidental death of a supervisor leads to violence

KAHALGAON: At least 20 persons, including two CISF personnel, were injured as thousands of contractual labourers at the NTPC plant fought pitched battle with the CISF following the accidental death of a supervisor, officials said.

Nearly 4000 angry workers gathered at the National Thermal Power Corporation's plant at Kahalgaon, in Bihar's Bhagalpur district, after word went round about the death of a supervisor K Shanker Kutty in an accident, they said.

Kutty, a supervisor of TEXAL -- a contracting company engaged in execution of Phase II of the plant -- died when a hydraulic crane overturned last night crushing him underneath.

Accusing the management for lack of safety measures to avoid such incidents and demanding a compensation for the deceased, the workers began hurling stones at the Central Industrial Security Force contingent posted for the security of the plant, CISF Additional Commandant Ramesh Ram said.

He said the agitators also set ablaze three cranes and ransacked the offices of the contracting companies hired by the NTPC, damaging furniture, tearing off door and windows and smashing airconditioners.

Six CISF personnel, including two senior inspectors - P P Singh and L K Singh - had their hand and skull bone broken respectively in the brick-batting after which the CISF baton charged the violent crowd and chased it away.

The two have been admitted to the NTPC Hospital here.

Nearly 15 labourers also suffered injuries in the baton charge, he said. ``Work at the plant has come to a grinding halt and the situation is tense but under control,'' Mr. Ram said.- PTI

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20 injured as workers clash with CISF at NTPC plant

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