Mishap tirggers tension in Sambalpur district

Sambalpur (Orissa), Jan 25 (PTI) Death of a man in aroad mishap today sparked tension in Orissa''s Sambalpurdistrict leading to an alleged lathicharge by the police thatleft a woman seriously injured.

Angry over the death of a youth near Khindachak underThelkolai police station, about 40 km from here, local peoplehad blocked the busy state high way No. 10 connecting Rourkelaand Sambalpur, police said.

A fly-ash laden truck of a private steel and powerplant knocked down Nilamadhab Bhoi (22), an employee of aprivate sponge iron factory nearby.

In protest against the accident, a large number ofpeople gathered at the spot and demanded Rs 10 lakhcompensation to the next of kin of the victim.

The mob damaged glasspanes of over 20 trucks andtippers and also allegedly thrashed drivers and labourers ofthe vehicles to enforce the blockade even as several hundredvehicles were seen stranded for over six hours in the busyroad, Nirmal Mohapatra, IIC, said.

After persuasion by the police, it was agreed upon topay Rs 2.5 lakh compensation to the next of kin by thecompany. However, the mob insisted on payment of Rs 10 lakhcompensation and turned violent allegedly pelting stones atthe police, Mohapatra said.

Denying that police had resorted to lathicharge,MOhapatra said they chased away the crowd and cleared the roadblockade. PTI COR aam Cr

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