Tension continues at the Mahanadi Coalfields Ltd (MCL) in Talcher, which was hit by shocking violent incidents yesterday. All the coal mines owned by MCL and three NTPC units remain shut, triggering a possible power crisis.

Yesterday, at least 40 vehicles were torched by the angry mob led by Talcher MLA Braja Kishore Pradhan, after the police forcibly arrested him a day earlier. The incident took place Jagannath colliery Railways Siding in Talcher.

The labourers held a big demonstration on Thursday, demanding the reinstatement of the 118 contractual workers thrown out by the newly-engaged contractor and subsequently arrested on charges of obstructing the work. The contractor is responsible for loading coal at the railway siding. However, the protests turned violent over the last two days, after the demonstrators were attacked by some miscreants. Even the local MLA was injured in the incident.

That triggered a massive outrage and the mob ransacked the Jagannath Colliery General Manager’s office and set the equipments on fire. At least seven platoons of police force have been deployed in the area.