Chennai: In a freak accident in North Chennai Thermal Power Plant, a 45-year-old contract labourer died triggering protests by employees. The deceased has been identified as Somasundaram (45) of Tiruvottiyur. He was working in the coal segregation section of the plant, located in Vallur, on contract basis.
According to the police, the operator of the earthmover had tried to remove a giant faulty engine in the plant. “Unfortunately, the engine fell on Somasundaram segregating coal going to the conveyor belt. He was crushed under the machine and died on the spot,” the police said.
Meanwhile, Minjur police rushed to the spot and sent his body to Stanley Government hospital for post-mortem. Following the incident, other contract labourers gathered in front of the plant and staged a protest demanding Rs 25 lakh as compensation and job for the family of Somasundaram.
The employees also demanded that contract labourers should be made permanent and issuance of identity cards. Since officials of the plant refuse to hold talks with the protesting workers, the protest went on till late night.
