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Indefinite strike by dumper drivers and helpers has severely affected the cargo loading and unloading work at Paradip port since last two days.
Nearly eight vessels are stranded in the harbour unable to offload their cargo because of the stir.
Traffic Manager of Paradip Port Trust (PPT), Damodar Nayak has sought intervention of the police, administration and CISF (Central Industrial Security Force) authority to resolve the issue and bring back normalcy in port area. Situation, however, has not improved yet.
Sources said, one pay loader of transport agency, Seaways Shipping and Logistics Ltd hit one dumper during unloading of cargo on Monday. This lead to altercation and violence between two groups with dumper drivers and helpers on one side and the security guard of the transport agency on the other.
The dumper drivers and helpers have gone on stir following the incident alleging that they were attacked and their vehicles damaged.
Paradip police station in-charge, Bichitra Samal said, police have received two FIRs, one from a dumper driver and another from traffic manager, PPT.
Meanwhile, unrest in the port area has affected loading and unloading of cargo from eight vessels anchored in the harbour. If the stalemate continues, PPT authorities may be forced to divert vessels to Haldia and Dhamara port, sources said.
