Seven labourers injured in CISF firing in Odisha

Seven workers were on Monday injured after Central Industrial Security Force personnel opened fire to prevent labourers without valid passes from entering an oil refinery at Paradip in Odisha.

Of the seven, five workers suffered bullet injuries.

Following information that some labourers were entering the refinery without passes, CISF Assistant Commandant Sasanka Sekhar Mohanty, who was monitoring entry at the main gate, prevented them from getting in the premises, Additional SP (Paradip) Bijaya Sahu said.

Angered over not being allowed entry, one of the labourers allegedly kicked Mohanty in the abdomen and some of them also damaged the rifle of a CISF jawan. In retaliation, CISF personnel fired five rounds in which five labourers suffered bullet injuries, security officials said.

The labourers also barged into the camp office of the CISF in front of the refinery and damaged furniture and other goods, they said.

Those who suffered bullet wounds have been identified as Subhash, Prafulla Majhi, Manoj Kumar Nayak, Ramesh Raut and Tushar Raut. The two others who were injured in the ensuing commotion have been identified as Kailash and Kabeer.

The injured were rushed to SCB Medical College Hospital in Cuttack and the government hospital in Paradip.

"The situation is now under control and police have been deployed in the area," ASP Sahu said.

Meanwhile, Baidehi Shramik Union led by Jayant Biswal and Purba Bharatiya Taila Visodhanagara Shramika Union led by Santosh Patnaik alleged the CISF has opened fire on innocent people in which eight labourers were injured.