Paradip, Oct. 5: Around 20 persons were injured today in a clash between security guards and contractual labourers at the Essar steel plant near Paradip.

Apprehending arrest, some workers fled from the site. Two platoons of police have been deployed.

The workers attacked the security guards after finding their shanties destroyed in a fire this morning. They suspected that the guards were behind the incident as the authorities had asked the workers not put up shanties near the plant’s conveyor belt.

Sub-divisional police officer Bhabani Shankar Mishra said: “The labourers rushed to the security barracks to launch a combined assault on the personnel. About 500 workers went on the rampage and attacked 50 security personnel. Both sides were armed with iron rods and lathis. The security personnel also launched a counter-attack on the labourers. The police rushed to the spot to diffuse the violence,” said Mishra.

P.K. Gupta, head of Essar Steel India Ltd, Paradip complex, said: “About 30 to 35 labourers attacked me and my colleagues when we were entering the plant premises this morning.

All of us have sustained injuries. We have lodged an FIR with local police. They assaulted the security persons deployed at the main gate and employees, who were entering the plant. No effort will be spared to look after the safety of our employees and the plant.”