In a harrowing turn of events on Monday, law enforcement and security staff faced a violent mob at the Deccan Cement factory in Suryapet district’s Palakeedu mandal. The confrontation erupted in the wake of a worker’s tragic passing.
What began as a protest by laborers from Bihar and Uttar Pradesh, demanding fair compensation for their deceased colleague, quickly spiraled into chaos. Police officers found themselves pursued and subjected to a barrage of stones as the situation descended into pandemonium.
Authorities from Suryapet police clarified that those involved in the aggressive outburst were temporary daily wage workers, not permanent employees of Deccan Cement.
The incident stemmed from the death of 48-year-old Vinod, who tragically collapsed on Sunday while doing laundry in the labor quarters, approximately a kilometer from the factory. His colleagues and supervisor rushed him to a private hospital in Miryalaguda, and subsequently to the area hospital, where he was pronounced dead, as confirmed by Suryapet SP K. Narasimha.
SP Narasimha stated, “There was no initial suspicion surrounding his death. The company had promptly arranged an ambulance and facilitated the transport of his body to his hometown in Uttar Pradesh for the final rites.”
However, early Monday morning, around 8 a.m., a group of laborers forcibly entered the factory premises, insistent on a compensation package. While initial negotiations led to the management agreeing to some form of assistance, the workers continued to demand a significantly larger sum.
The SP reported that police were called to the scene around 11 a.m. to manage the escalating protest. Upon their intervention, the workers allegedly turned violent, attacking officers with sticks and stones, resulting in injuries to a sub-inspector and a home guard. A police vehicle also sustained damage during the melee.
By evening, the situation was successfully brought under control. Legal action has since been initiated against those implicated in the acts of violence.