Amaravati: A worker was killed after falling into a concrete mixer at the construction site of the temporary secretariat at Velagapudi on Tuesday sparking widespread protests. Angry workers burnt an ambulance, damaged the time office, computers and furniture seeking safety.
Worker-cum-driver Devendera of Jangal Piparasi of Kushinagar district of UP had arrived at Velagapudi two days ago and was working for L&T. He accidentally fell in the concrete mixer while cleaning it early on Tuesday morning.
Unfortunately there was no one to help him. Workers found his body in the machine later. Devendra’s co-workers said that his head had dashed against the blades of the concrete mixer and he had died on the spot. L&T tried to shift the body in secret.
Angry workers stopped the ambulance that was brought to shift the body. Police was called in and this angered the workers. As the situation became tense, officials led by Guntur revenue divisional officer T. Bhaskar Naidu and Mangalagiri DSP G. Ramanjaneyulu rushed to the spot. Meanwhile, CPM district secretary P. Rama Rao, CPM capital area committee coordinator Babu Rao and CITU leaders arrived.
The officials, led by Guntur joint collector Sridhar, held talks with the workers and announced a compensation of Rs 20 lakh, following which the protest ended. The leaders had demanded Rs 25 lakh compensation for the victim’s kin from L&T, a government job, house etc.
