Workers strike: Korean accused of assault

MANGALORE: Workers at the Indian  Strategic Petroleum Reserves Limited’s (ISPRL) underground rock cavern storage for imported crude oil in Permude on Mangalore’s outskirts staged a lightning strike accusing a Korean engineer of assaulting and making racist remarks on Saturday.The Korean engineer identified as Kim allegedly assaulted a labourer Chandrahas (21) with his helmet and torch and made racist remarks. Labourers refused to report to duty unless the engineer apologised.ISPRL chief manager S Vijayananda confirmed  there was tension at the site. By noon, workers resumed work after Kim apologised.Trouble broke out when workers, angry over Kim taking photos of them sleeping on their shift, argued with him and in the melee, the engineer allegedly attacked them. Vijayananda said that project supervisor, Engineers India Limited (EIL) is likely to submit a report on the incident by October 12.ISPRL chief manager also suspected the involvement of outsiders for allowing the incident to be blown out of proportion. “To prevent such incidents, CCTVs will be installed,’’ Vijayananda said.Bajpe police said both parties were told to be present at the police station on Sunday for an inquiry.