Thread: 4 injured in Chinese-locals clash in India

4 injured in Chinese-locals clash
13 May 2009, 0006 hrs IST, Divy Khare, TNN


BOKARO: At least four people, including a Chinese man were injured in a clash between Chinese workers and local labourers, all workers of
Electrosteel Integrated Limited (EIL), at the construction site of the company at Seyaljori in Bangaria, Chandnakyari on Tuesday. The injured Chinto Singh, Haren Hajra, Tanj and others were admitted to K M Memorial Hospital at Chas. Their condition is stated to be stable.

Sources said hundreds of Chinese workers came out of the company premises carrying iron rods and sticks and chased local workers away.

Later, in a gesture of protest against the Chinese, local workers came on streets and damaged about six vehicles including trucks of EIL. The local political leaders of various parties staged dharna on Telgaria road at Bandhdih, around 3 kms from the company, demanding the Chinese workers be sent back to their country. Traffic remained disrupted in the area the whole day.

EIL steel major is setting up a steel plant with a production capacity of over 3.2 million tonne here. The project is still under construction. Initially, EIL management hired about 400 technicians and labours from China and 1200 local labourers. There are special camps constructed for Chinese staff inside the company premises where they reside.

The clash between Chinese and locals has sparked tension in the area. District administration has deployed forces to keep control over the situation. The work at the company site has been stopped by the administration till peace is restored.

According to EIL public relation officer C P Pandey, Chinese workers are more hardworking than the locals. The local workers always try to escape hard work that the Chinese always resist. This always results in problems between them.

Pandey said the tension began after three local labours, who stopped coming to work since a week ago without notice, suddenly appeared on Monday and asked their Chinese senior to hire them again. He refused and told them he has kept new labours in their place. This got them angry and they tried to hit him, but security guards interfered on time and separated them.

The trio came again on Tuesday with more locals and created a brawl with the Chinese senior. In retaliation, hundreds of Chinese workers came out and launched attack on the locals, said Pandey. "We are trying to sort out the matter soon," he added.

Police finally brought the situation under control. The senior administrative officials headed by city magistrate Manoj Jaiswal with police and EIL officials held a meeting at the company premises. in the presence of both the Chinese workers and the locals.

Jaiswal said proper legal action will be taken against both groups once a report gets lodged with the police station. "The locals are demanding that the Chinese be sent away from here. To maintain law and order in this area, we are going to bring the situation and the demand before the state government," said Jaiwal.

4 injured in Chinese-locals clash - Ranchi - Cities - The Times of India