Death of a wage earner to be investigated

Bhubaneswar, Sep 9 (UNI) The Orissa government will inquire into the alleged ''suicide'' of a casual labourer who worked in the house of a senior state official.

''There's going to be a through investigation,'' Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik told reporters today after arriving here from Mumbai.

The deceased, Babaji Mohapatra, who died at the SCB Medical College, Cuttack yesterday allegedly after consuming poison, was working at the residence of Abhay Das, secretary in the Works Department.

Babaji's widow, Mamata Mohapatara, had filed an FIR in the Shahid Nagar police station here alleging that her husband was being tortured at the official's residence and had committed suicide as a result, police said.

Angry daily wage workers, carrying the body with them, protested outside the residence of the official last night causing a commotion in the area. They demanded a compensation of Rs five lakh should be paid to the next of kin and employment provided to a member of the family.

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