Truck owners stage a protest on NH-215 in Keonjhar on Wednesday. Telegraph picture

Keonjhar, Sept. 12: The ongoing truck owners’ fast-unto-death agitation in front of the Keonjhar collectorate in protest against transportation of iron ore by trains took an ugly turn today with the death of an protester here.

Prem Ranjan Behera, 55, a truck owner and former vice- president of Keonjhar Truck Owners’ Association who had gone on fast along with thousands of truckers in front of the collectorate on September 4, died today.

Behera was rushed to a government hospital in Anandapur as his health deteriorated today, where he died.

When the news of his death spread, hundreds of people gathered outside the collectorate, which houses the offices of the district collector, additional district magistrate, district panchayat, district rural development agency, civil supply and mining offices.

The mob also staged roadblocks at Keonjhar town, Andapur, Ghasipura, Sailang Chhak, Belabahali and Salapada along NH-215 and NH-6.

The agitation is a part of the ongoing economic blockade programme by truck owners of the district, who are demanding resumption of iron ore transportation by trucks. The state government had imposed a ban on mining activities since 2010. Only the companies that have permits are allowed to mine. To curb illegal mining, the government has decided that the ore would have to be carried outside the district by train only.

Stoppage of road transport have threatened the livelihood 20,000 transporters of the area.

“Yesterday, when Behera complained of his illness during the protest, we admitted him to the government hospital at Anandapur. Doctors treated him and advised complete rest. This morning, he complained of discomforts again and was rushed to the same hospital for treatment where he was declared dead by the treating doctor,” said another protesting truck owner, Ramesh Sahu.

“I examined and treated the patient. He was diabetic and was affected with severe cough and cold. I also advised him to get tests done and be on complete rest. He was brought to the hospital this morning in a serious condition and he died after sometime,” said Bikrama Nanda Moharana, sub-divisional medical officer of Anandapur.

Talking to The Telegraph, Keonjhar collector Balwant Singh said: “Today’s incident is unfortunate. We are sympathetic towards the demands of the truckers and our door is always open to them. We are trying to resolve the issue through negotiation.”

The collector said detailed information about the circumstances that led to the death of Behera was being collected.