Protests by BJP workers halt production in coal mines in Odisha

New Delhi: Protests by Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) workers at Coal India Ltd’s mines in Odisha have halted production at the Talcher coalfields.

The protests came after a deadly landslide last week where four workers were trapped in a mine.

Bodies of three out of the four trapped workers have been recovered so far in the state’s Angul district. Rescue personnel are trying to recover the fourth body.

The BJP workers are carrying out sit-in protests and waving flags at the state-run company’s mines in Odisha demanding a safety audit of all mines in the region.

Local BJP leaders say that the demonstrations would continue till safety measures are ensured in order to prevent such tragedies and adequate compensation to the victims are assured. They are also demanding guidelines on safety norms for mines.

Production activity at Talcher coalfields has not resumed after the accident, according to officials of Mahanadi Coalfields Ltd, a unit of Coal India.

Output from the Talcher coalfields account for around one-eighth of the public sector major’s total annual production.

(IANS)