Begusarai: A protest by workers at the Barauni Refinery expansion project in Bihar turned violent for the second consecutive day on Tuesday, with clashes erupting between demonstrators and personnel of the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) over compensation demands following the death of a contract worker.
The violence broke out outside the refinery’s Main Gate No. 1, where around 1,000 workers and family members of the deceased had gathered to demand compensation and a permanent job for one of the victim’s dependents. The protest escalated into vandalism, prompting the CISF to resort to a baton charge to disperse the crowd. Several workers were reportedly injured during the action.
Enraged protesters allegedly damaged the refinery gate, vandalised office property and vehicles, and overturned a CISF Bolero vehicle. Police later brought the situation under control, but the deceased worker’s family and several labourers continued their sit-in protest, vowing to continue their agitation until their demands are met.
Protest Triggered by Death of Contract Worker
The protest stems from the death of Shyam Sundar Pathak, a contract worker employed by Sharp Tank Private Limited and a resident of Sabour.
According to the protesters, Pathak sustained serious injuries on June 22 after an iron pipe fell on him during work at the refinery expansion project. He was admitted to a private hospital, where he later succumbed to his injuries.
Following his death, refinery officials allegedly assured the family that compensation of Rs 17 lakh would be paid within 48 hours. However, the family claims that even after the completion of the last rites, no compensation had been provided.
Demanding immediate compensation, employment for one dependent family member, and a high-level inquiry into repeated industrial accidents at the project site, Pathak’s relatives and fellow workers launched a protest outside the refinery.
Violence During Protest
As the number of protesters swelled and workers reportedly stopped work in solidarity, security personnel were deployed to maintain order.
Authorities said the situation deteriorated after sections of the crowd allegedly vandalised the refinery’s main gate and damaged property. CISF personnel then carried out a lathi charge to disperse the protesters. Protesters allegedly responded by pelting stones and overturning a CISF vehicle.
Senior district officials, including the Sub-Divisional Officer (SDO), Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP), and police personnel from nearby stations, reached the spot and restored order. The DSP assured protesters that the incident would be investigated and action taken in accordance with the law.
Workers Continue Agitation
Despite police intervention, the deceased worker’s family and several labourers remained at the protest site.
Protesters are demanding:
- Immediate payment of the promised Rs 17 lakh compensation.
- Permanent employment for one eligible member of the deceased worker’s family.
- A high-level inquiry into recurring workplace accidents during the refinery expansion project.
- Strict enforcement of industrial safety norms.
- Blacklisting of companies found negligent in maintaining safety standards or delaying compensation.
Lal Babu, one of the protesters, alleged that workers had been staging the protest for over 36 hours but no company representative had met them.
“When workers from various companies joined us and work at the project site came to a halt, police resorted to a lathi charge to break up the protest,” he claimed.
He further said the deceased had been the sole breadwinner for his wife and three children, and the family now faced severe financial hardship.
Refinery Management Responds
Responding to the incident, Meenakshi Thakur, General Manager of Barauni Refinery, expressed condolences to the bereaved family and said the refinery management was coordinating with all stakeholders to provide appropriate assistance in accordance with labour laws.
She described Barauni Refinery as a key industrial asset for Bihar’s economic development, regional growth, and India’s energy security.
Thakur also alleged that some “anti-social and self-serving elements” had attempted to exploit the sensitive situation by creating unrest and damaging industrial infrastructure, adding that such actions posed serious risks to the safety and operations of the hydrocarbon facility.
She said violent incidents during Tuesday’s protest resulted in damage to security infrastructure and industrial assets, warning that any disruption at such a sensitive installation could have serious consequences for public safety and refinery operations.
