Kanpur: An assistant operator was burnt to death in a fire that broke out after the diesel tank of a piling machine exploded in the industrial corridor of Saranay Katiyan on Saturday. The workers staged a 3-hour protest after the incident.Police facilitated talks between family members of the deceased and the construction agency’s manager. The company’s work in charge, Ranvijay, gave written assurance of providing maximum compensation, after which, at 9:30 pm, police sent the body for post-mortem.Staff engaged in the factory’s construction work alleged that a generator was placed in the piling machine. The generator’s diesel tank exploded and caused the fire. Welding work was also being carried out using that same generator. They alleged the fire incident occurred due to negligence and that the construction agency continuously ignored workers’ safety, and even necessary safety equipment was not provided.Dahi police station in charge Gyanendra Singh said the assistant operator was working through contractor Shariq. Assurances were given to the family members of getting them compensation. “Talks were held between both parties for about an hour. Family members and workers calmed down only after construction agency manager Ranvijay gave a written commitment to provide maximum compensation,” he said.
