Blame Game Starts Over Bokaro Steel Plant Violence As SAIL Management Registers Case Against 400 persons Claiming Loss Of Rs. 200 Crore
But not a word mentioned on the long-standing demands of BSL Visthapit Apprentice Sangh
Bad leadership undermines team or organizational success through behaviors like unclear vision, poor communication and blaming others, once said some learned person.
The issues raised by Visthapit Apprentice Sangh (VAS) are not new and this demand has been there for over decades together but SAIL management, over such a long period, seems to have failed, miserably, in sorting out the long-pending issues. The protests that were meant to demand jobs for families of those who were displaced when the Bokaro steel was first set up in the 60s.
The management of Bokaro Steel Limited (BSL) has lodged a First Information Report (FIR) against members of the displaced apprentice union following a violent and unauthorized protest that took place on April 3 and 4 at the Bokaro Steel Plant. But the irony is that the the youth, Prem Kumar Mahto, who lost his life on the fateful day, seems to be a forgotten story and so are many others who were injured during the protest that turned out to be violent.
The FIR, filed by BSL’s General Manager (Security) at the Bokaro Steel City police station on Monday, details a series of serious allegations, including illegal assembly, vandalism, violence, threat to public safety, and massive disruption of plant operations.
According to the three-page complaint, the union had informed the plant administration on April 1 of its intent to stage a protest demanding employment. In response, the plant authorities alerted the district administration, and the Sub-Divisional Officer of Chas explicitly denied permission for any gathering near the plant, citing law and order concerns.
Despite this, around 400 to 500 protesters reportedly gathered at the plant’s main gate on April 3, blocking all entry and exit points. The demonstration, which lasted for over 36 hours, severely affected the movement of employees and day-to-day operations.
BSL Management has alleged that the protest posed a significant threat to the plant’s internal security systems. The blockade endangered critical units, including the plant’s gas network, which stores hazardous gases essential to steel production. The complaint warns that any breach or damage in such units could have endangered the lives of residents in the township and surrounding areas.
The disruption in manpower availability brought the production process to a halt. BSL estimates a financial loss of approximately ₹200 crore due to the protest and stated that it may take 8 to 10 days for normal operations to resume.
During the protest, agitators allegedly damaged public and private vehicles, broke security barricades, and attempted to storm the plant premises. Several security personnel were reportedly injured after being attacked with stones, bottles, and sticks.
Tensions escalated further when a protester fell and sustained injuries during a clash with CISF personnel and later died during treatment at Bokaro General Hospital (BGH). The death led to renewed protests, with demonstrators gathering with the deceased’s body and once again blocking key gates of the plant.
In a grave act of sabotage, protesters are accused of cutting the Tenughat-Bokaro canal around 7:30 a.m. on April 4, disrupting the water supply to both the plant and Bokaro city. The resulting shortage impacted not only industrial activity but also inconvenienced local residents.
The administrative building and plant premises are classified as restricted zones where public demonstrations are prohibited. The complaint notes that the protest, held in violation of Section 163 of the Indian Civil Defense Code, endangered public property and disrupted the lives of thousands, particularly in sensitive areas like the BGH campus and Sector-4.
In its FIR, the BSL administration has demanded strict legal action against the protestors under relevant sections of The Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita and other applicable laws. The PSU management has submitted videographic, photographic, and medical evidence to support its claims.
It goes on to say that the incident has sent shockwaves through the industrial and administrative circles, raising urgent questions about plant security, protest management, and enforcement of law and order in sensitive industrial zones.
General apathy towards the Visthapit Apprentice Sangh (VAS) continues at the helm of the Maharatna Steel PSU, but some people fail to realize – The higher they climb, the harder they fall … and the funnier it is.
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