 |
| Work remains paralysed at Corporate Ispat and Alloy Limited in Kharsawan after the July 18 attack by villagers left a trail of destruction |
Jamshedpur, July 22: Work at the project site of Corporate Ispat and Alloy Limited in Kharsawan continues to be suspended five days after the July 18 attack on its staff, and the district administration is still not confident of lifting the ban orders it had imposed in the area.
Police have so far arrested 10 people for the mob violence that injured at least six company officials, two of whom are still in hospital nursing grievous head injuries.
A mob of over 400 ransacked the premises of the upcoming steel and power plant of the Abhijeet Group subsidiary, about 60km from Jamshedpur, apparently reacting to rumours of child sacrifice going on inside the site.
Abhishek, SP Seraikela-Kharsawan district, admitted the attack was triggered by a rumour but did not rule out the involvement of “vested interests” in fanning the trouble.
“We are trying to ensure that such incidents do not recur in future,” he said.
The Seraikela-Kharsawan district administration, that had clamped Section 144 of CrPC in the area immediately after the attack, has now decided to review the situation at a meeting tomorrow.
Local sources revealed that tension in the area was palpable even five days after the incident with villagers fearing further police action. Sub-divisional officer of Seraikela C.K. Singh admitted as much.
“Prohibitory orders in and around the plant would remain effective till today. We will have to review the situation before taking a decision on whether to lift the orders tomorrow,” he added.
The July 18 attack has attracted statewide condemnation from industry and chambers of commerce because it has once again sent out wrong signals to investors who are already running way behind schedule due to the looming threat of Naxalites and serious land acquisition issues.
Chief construction manager of Corporate Ispat S.Ramakrishnan, who had to receive 17 stitches on his head, is recuperating at Ranchi’s Apollo Hospital. Another company official, Pankaj Garg, is also admitted in the same hospital with serious head injuries.
The company has demanded security at its project site and action against the culprits. “We are spending about Rs 25,000 crore in our Kharsawan and Chandwa projects. It is unfortunate if the state government fails to address our problems and provide us security,” lamented a company spokesman.
Singhbhum Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SCCI) has also condemned the incident. “It is a serious concern as the incident has taken place in the chief minister’s constituency. Why should investors come to Jharkhand?” said an SCCI functionary.
Of late, Seraikela-Kharsawan has been witnessing an alarming upsurge in crime. Last night, 50-year-Chotu Ram Munda, a Tata Steel employee, was shot dead by unknown assailants in front of his house at Krishnapur village under RIT police station area.
Last week in Adityapur, an insurance agent was found killed at his house. The police have drawn a blank in both cases.
SP Abhishek said they were trying their best. “We have arrested 10 so far for the Abhijeet Group incident. More are likely to follow as the culprits have fled the area to evade arrest,” he promised.
No comments:
Post a Comment