80 arrested as workers clash; Former MLA sent to jail

Rourkela, Jul 24 (UNI) Former JMM MLA George Tirkey was arrested and sent to judicial custody till July 29 following a clash between the supporters of three trade unions in which at least five activists and three policemen were injured near the IDL Plant at Somaparvat today.

Rival trade union activists clashed after Sundargarh Mazdoor Union, led by Mr Tirkey, obstructed the workers from entering the IDL plant.

Employees belonging to the CITU and Rourkela Mazdoor Sangh, however, protested the move of the Sundargarh Mazdoor Sangh leading to a clash among the workers.

Later, police arrested 80 activists belonging to the Sundargarh Mazdoor Union from the spot and forwarded them to the court.

Mr Tirkey, police said, peeved over the arrest of his supporters used abusive language against police and obstructed them to discharge their duties.

The former MLA was booked under Section 332,294 and 506 of the IPC for causing harm, using abusing languages and criminal intimidation.

He was later produced before a local court which sent him to judicial custody till July 29.

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