Mahakalpara: Tensions flared at the IOCL beat house at Gagua village under Tantiapal marine police station of Mahakalpara block in Kendrapara district after a labourer engaged in digging a pit, died Tuesday.
The deceased has been identified as Khagen Mandal (55), a resident of Guladia village. He died after a large portion of earth from the wall of the pit caved in, trapping him under it.
Sources said seven labourers including Khagen were working at the pit. They were caught unawares when a large section of the pit caved. Even though six managed to beat death by a whisker, Khagen couldn’t.
Even though Khagen was rescued and quickly taken to the Kendrapara district headquarters hospital (DHH), he succumbed to his injuries while undergoing treatment.
As news of Khagen’s death broke, villagers and the deceased’s family members including his wife stormed into the beat house and staged a demonstration demanding adequate compensation.
The agitation at the beat house was still going on at the time of filing this report. Officials of IOCL and the district administration have reached the place and are trying to pacify the agitators.
PNN