The AM/NS (ArcelorMittal Nippon Steel India) company was fined ₹18 crore for encroaching upon approximately 82,000 square metres of government land in Hazira, Surat. Complaints were received regarding the unauthorised use and encroachment on conditionally allocated ‘Shri Sarkar’ land for several years.

Following an investigation by the mamlatdar of Choryasi, evidence of encroachment was found, and cases were registered. The company has been penalised for encroaching on approximately eight hectares (82,000 sq. metres) of land.

The mamlatdar’s investigation confirmed the long-term non-agricultural use on the land. As a result, hearings were conducted for 18 encroachment cases.

After the hearings, the findings in 10 cases led to legal action against AM/NS, resulting in the ₹18 crore fine.

Earlier, on December 31, at least four contractual workers were killed after a fire broke out at the ArcelorMittal Nippon Steel India’s (AM/NS India) plant at Hazira industrial area.

Surat Commissioner of Police Anupam Singh Gehlot reported that the fire broke out after burning coal spilled unexpectedly, igniting a blaze in one section of the plant. The blaze claimed the lives of four contractual workers who were on a lift at the time.

Authorities, including the police and the factory Inspector, have initiated a detailed investigation into the incident. 

No accidental death report has been filed yet, according to an official at the Hazira police station.

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