Police remove people from IISCO sites; 20 hurt

Burnpur, Jun 17: Police used batons and arrested some 150 people before dispersing hundreds of villagers, who prevented workers involved in modernisation and extension projects of state-owned IISCO at Purusotampur in Asansol sub-division today.

At least 20 protesters were injured when police used batons to disperse them from the site, they held since May 28 last.

The local people are demanding adequate compensation for their lands taken by the government for IISCO's expansion and modernisation programmes. They are also demanding job in the steel plant.

Indian Iron and Steel Company's new project had been stalled since May 27 after the local people prevented workers to take up job.

Assistant Superintendent of police (ASP), Asansol, Bastab Baidya said the expansion work at the IISCO started this afternoon when police cordoned off the site after dispersing the people.

UNI