Chandigarh, February 23 Workers at a refinery in Panipat, Haryana, pelted security personnel and vandalized vehicles during a demonstration in support of their various demands on Monday.
When personnel from the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) deployed at the refinery asked the protesters to remain in a designated area, some of them objected and allegedly resorted to stone pelting.
The protesting workers, some of whom were carrying sticks, overturned several vehicles parked at the site and damaged them.
Amid the tense situation, police were called in.
Panipat Superintendent of Police (SP) Bhupender Singh, who visited the spot to assess the situation, said that after receiving information about stone pelting at the refinery, a police force was immediately deployed there under the command of a deputy superintendent of police.
"We deployed police at the refinery, and the situation is now peaceful," he said.
When asked if the CISF fired warning shots in the air to disperse the workers, he said that police had received information that one or two shots were fired.
Earlier, Deputy Superintendent of Police, Panipat City, Rajbir Singh, said that the workers were protesting in support of their demands, which they had raised with their contractor.
The workers' demands include an eight-hour workday, basic amenities such as a toilet and water near the work site, timely payment of salaries, and transportation facilities at the work site.
Later, a meeting was held between the workers' representatives and refinery officials.
