Closed shops and deserted road in Hirakud during the strike called by Hindalco workers on Tuesday. Telegraph picture

Sambalpur, Aug. 21: A strike call given by workers of Hindalco Industry Limited of Hirakud against the Odisha Pollution Control Board’s decision to shut down the power plants of the company evoked mixed response today.

Shops and business establishments in the city were closed, but vehicular movement was normal. Government offices in the town remained open as well.

The state pollution control board had slapped a notice on Hindalco to shut down its power plants following breach in its ash mound twice this month. After the breach, ash had overflowed onto agricultural land and had caused extensive crop damage. This had triggered resentment among local people.

Hindalco workers opposed the pollution control board’s order.

They staged a rally at Hirakud on Monday and distributed leaflets appealing to the residents of Hirakud to support their strike call.

“The farmers who have been affected by the breach should be compensated. The management should also take steps to repair the breach. The industrial house should follow pollution norms prescribed by the pollution control board. But the order to close the power plants is not justified,” said Rashmi Ranjan Swain, joint secretary of the Hindalco Workers’ Union.

“People of Hirakud have supported us. Even the truck owners association of Sambalpur has extended support to our agitation. We will continue agitating until the order of the state pollution control board is withdrawn,” said Swain.

“The closure order will affect the livelihood of thousands of workers. Around 5,000 people and their families are dependent on the industrial house. We urge the government to withdraw the decision,” said Gadadhara, another agitating employee.

Hindalco official Subir Mukhopadhaya said: “Two of the four power plants have already been closed down. The workers had gheraoed my office and opposed the closure of the power plant. They also manhandled the operation manager of the power plant.”

A source said: “Around 1,100 permanent workers and 3,000 contractual workers are engaged at the smelter unit. Around 400 permanent employees and 1,200 contractual workers are engaged at Hindalco’s power plants.”

Inspector in charge of Hirakud police station Rabindra Mallick said: “No untoward incident has been reported during the strike. Only shops and the business establishments remained closed.”