Kohinoor Steel Plant alleges police inaction against vandalism

Ranchi, Aug 1 (UNI) The Kohinoor Steel Plant Limited, a Rs 505-crore project at Chandil in Jharkhand, today expressed concern over the alleged police apathy in taking action against the culprits, involved in vandalising the plant on July 25 leading to loss of property worth several crores of rupees.

A senior plant official told UNI over phone from Kolkata that despite an FIR 124/07 lodged, police were yet to swing into action, saying if such incident continued, no investor from outside would like to invest in Jharkhand.

Narrating the incident, the official said on the said day a group of about 70 people armed with lathis and arms vandalised the steel plant at Chandil in Saraikela-Kharsawan, demanding a hefty compensation for a plant worker, who died due to electrocution the previous day.

The victim's family agreed to the company's initial offer as per government norms to the tune of Rs 2.5 lakh, he said adding the company had even agreed to give employment to one member of the bereaved family.

However, after negotiations a group of armed people, whom the company alleged to have allegiance to the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha, ransacked the plant and injured about 80 employees.

They demanded Rs ten lakh, which was not feasible, he said.

The steel plant lodged complaint with the police, he said adding so far no action had been taken.

UNI