Villagers resort to rail roko

Rourkela,June 12 (UNI) Tension prevailed in Ramabahal village near Lanjiburna under Rajgangpur Police station about 60 km from here after a goods train carrying limestone to Orissa Cement Ltd, Rajgangpur ran over a villager.

Police said one Shankar Behera (33) was killed after the train ran over him late last night.

The villagers under the leadership of Rajgangpur MLA G Minz squatted on the track with the body demanding a compensation of Rs ten lakh. They also demanded a monthly allowance to his wife and education expenses for the children of the deceased by the OCL.

Despite repeated appeals the villagers were not clearing the track and continuing their agitation.

A deadlock arose as the OCL authorities argued that since the accident did not occur either inside the plant or at the mining side, the demand of the villagers was unjustified.

However,OCL management agreed to pay Rs 40,000 to the family members of the deceased on a compassionate ground.

But the villagers demanded the OCL to pay at least Rs 15 lakh compensation. Senior police and OCL officials were present at the site.

UNI XC BD ADG RN1723