Singareni Collieries workers protest after Telangana police thrash operator

Warangal: A worker of Singereni Collieries Company Limited (SCCL) in Bhupalpally suffered injuries when he was allegedly thrashed by the police while returning from duty on Saturday night.

The incident occurred at Subhash Nagar check post when Mukkera Ravi, who works as a Haulage operator in Kakatiya Khani (KTK) incline-1 in Bhupalpally, was returning home after completing his second shift.

“I told the officer that I am a Singareni worker and returning home from duty. But he used abuses and thrashed me black and blue. I even produced the ID card which clearly states that I am a staff member on emergency duty. He snatched the card, threw it on the road and beat me up again,” Raju said.

Agitated over the incident, SCCL workers boycotted their work on Monday to protest against the alleged police brutality. Workers said they do not want to work under these circumstances forced by the Coronavirus pandemic.

They demanded that paid holidays be declared to the employees during the period of lockdown. Earlier, the workers demanded safety measures given the coronavirus as they are required to work in groups inside the mines while extracting coal.

The state government has declared Singareni as an essential service as it produces coal for power generation. Around 90 percent of the power is generated by thermal power projects in the state.

Bhupalpally DSP A Sampath Rao said they received a complaint from the worker on Sunday morning. “We are enquiring into the matter and will take action against the constable,” he said.