By-
Malay RaySaif Ali Khan Health Update
ROURKELA: Tensions flared outside the Dalmia Cement (Bharat) Limited (DCBL) plant in Rourkela on Friday, as angry locals, including the families of three missing workers, tried to forcibly enter the plant premises.
The workers, who have been missing for over 17 hours, have yet to be located despite ongoing rescue efforts. In response, the police have deployed four platoons of forces to prevent any untoward incidents.
The three missing workers, identified as Susanta Rout (58), Ranjit Bhol (24), and Dashrath Patra (42), were working under a contractor at the power plant.
According to sources, a coal bunker, supported by four iron pillars, collapsed at around 5.30pm on Thursday, trapping the workers under a massive heap of coal and debris. The operator room located beneath the coal bunker was also completely damaged in the collapse.
When the workers failed to return home after their shifts, their families attempted to contact them, but their phones went unanswered.
Suspicious, the families went to the plant's gates to inquire about their loved ones. Other workers who had exited the plant reported the collapse of the coal bunker, further escalating the situation.
Crane trucks, fire brigade vehicles, and ambulances were dispatched for the rescue operation, while the families and locals gathered outside the plant demanding answers.
As the rescue operation continued into the night, police and company officials, including Brijesh Kumar Rai, DIG of Police, Western Range, and Pratyush Diwakar, SP of Sundargarh, arrived at the scene.
However, locals became increasingly frustrated, and when Bibhu Prasad, deputy director of factory & boiler, Rourkela, tried to address them, he was pushed by the crowd. Police had to intervene and escort him into the plant.
Despite the ongoing rescue operation by the fire brigade, ODRAF team, and plant workers, the missing men were still not located by Friday afternoon.
The authorities continue to clear the coal debris slowly in hopes of finding the trapped workers.
As the situation remained tense, with locals shouting protests and some attempting to enter the plant, the police presence was significantly increased.
Brijesh Kumar Rai stated, "The rescue operation is still underway, and the three missing workers have not been found yet. We have deployed four platoons of police force to maintain order."
Bibhu Prasad, speaking on the ongoing efforts, assured, "The rescue operation continues. Once it's concluded, we will assess the plant's safety measures and take appropriate action if any lapses are found."