Shocked, ARSS workers pack their bags

SAMBALPUR: The Maoists may have spared the workers engaged in ARSS Infrastructure Projects during the October 25 attack but their warning to return if the latter dare to operate again haunts the workers. With the fear of an experience of an encounter with the Maoists clearly visible on their faces, many have decided to pack their bags for home.The ultras had set afire vehicles of the stone crusher unit at Mundher, barely 15 km from Sambalpur town earlier this week.At least 150 persons, including 50 drivers, mostly from Nayagarh, Khurda,  Kendrapara and Puri are engaged in the crusher unit for supplying stone chips to different development projects undertaken by the company in Sambalpur, Deogarh and Angul districts.Confiding that many workers had left the site after the incident, private security guard Sushil Kumar Lakra admitted that he too was scared but family obligations have forced him to continue work.Refusing to be identified, a driver from Nayagarh, who was driving one of the trucks that was set afire, said they are paid Rs 5,000 a month and since he knows his job, he can manage to get work elsewhere.“With my family members worried, I would prefer working at a safer place than risking my life,” said the driver.The driver, who interacted with the Maoists that day, said many among them hailed from Nayagarh and Phulbani districts.Plant manager Kalindi Mohapatra is, however, working hard to impress upon the workers not to leave the place. He said it had been two years since they were in operation and never before had the Maoists made any demand.