Production, supply from Talcher Coalfields hit for 10th day

Production and supply from Talcher Coalfields of Mahanadi Coalfields Ltd (MCL) was hit for the 10th day on Friday, owing to an agitation by locals backed by political parties after four workers died in a mishap at a mine last week.

Though BJP activists withdrew its strike after talks with the administration and MCL authorities on Wednesday, villagers backed by BJD leaders then initiated stoppage of work, stalling operations at all mines in Talcher Coalfields in Angul district.

Subsequently, members of Talcher Suraksha Parishad, a social outfit, submitted a set of demands which included compensation of Rs 3 crore each to the family of the deceased and a permanent job to the deceased nominee, an MCL spokesperson said.

Four workers were killed and nine others injured in the mishap at Bharatpur mine on July 23, triggering protests by political parties and locals. BJP activists had first launched an agitation demanding a compensation of Rs 50 lakh for families of each ...