RANGPO : In a time when the state government is eyeing maximum industrialisation and priorities of employment to local workforce, an unprecedented dispute at Kumrkek today flared the local workforce against apparent denial of employment at the construction site of Alkem Laboratories.
A major disagreement took shape today at Alkem Laboratories site at Kumrkek, 4 kms from Rangpo with local labourers complaining against a labour contractor who denied employing local labours at the company. The local labours together with neighbouring people insisted for recruitment at the company site and called for a table-talk with the company management.
The state government had lately announced for first preference to local labours and youths in employments within the state, eyeing unemployment predicaments on the rise. However, the swelling crowd and indignant work force today reportedly turned violent and assaulted some construction workers.
According to the company sources, more than 150 people got together before the construction site, blocked the way and beat up around 30 workers of Alkem Laboratories. The crowd turned violent and beaten up two Civil Engineers working at the construction site. The engineers were rushed to Manipal Hospital for necessary treatments and latter released.
With the local Panchayat stepping in and Rangpo Police making its way, the crisis was brought under control. Acknowledging demands of the local labourers, the company management clarified that Alkem Laboratories is still at its construction process, some segment of which like ‘block cleaning’of a pharmaceutical company needs extreme sophistication and skilled manpower to conduct.
An FIR was registered against 5 individuals namely Chet Raj Pradhan, Nirmal Karki, KK Pradhan, Mohan Pradhan and Sushant Pradhan at the Rangpo PS by one of the victim Civil Engineer Mahendra Pradhan, as the accused individuals had no terms with the company, yet allegedly instigated the mob.
It was learnt that one more FIR was lodged at the Rangpo PS by the Alkem Laboratories today. 4 Sikkim Police personnel were presently posted at the construction site for maintenance of peace and order.
