Bhubaneswar: A day after the killing of a 30-year-old youth in a clash over fly ash transportation, agitated locals on Friday torched the office of the Union Fly Ash Truck Owners’ Association near Darlipali in Sundaragada district.
The unrest followed the death of Sunil Neti, a resident of Barobaga village under Bhasma police limits. He was allegedly shot during a confrontation near the Darlipali fly ash dyke of NTPC’s power plant on Thursday evening.
According to Sundargarh Superintendent of Police Amritpal Kaur, the incident occurred around 6.30 pm. Two rival groups clashed near the office of an NGO. Firing broke out during the confrontation, leaving Sunil critically injured. He was rushed to Sundargarh Government Medical College and Hospital, where he succumbed to his injuries.
The dispute was linked to rivalry over the transportation of fly ash from the Darlipali Super Thermal Power Project. A group of youths associated with an NGO named Regional Initiative for Social Empowerment (RISE), which had recently set up an office in Barobaga, was reportedly seeking a share in the fly ash transportation business. Tension escalated after a rival group of truck operators arrived at the NGO office, leading to a heated exchange that turned violent.
Following the killing, angry locals ransacked the office of the Union Fly Ash Truck Owners’ Association near Darlipali on Thursday. On Friday, they set the office on fire. Protesters also stopped a fire brigade vehicle that had arrived to douse the flames and staged a demonstration demanding the immediate arrest of all those involved in the killing.
