Karnal, Feb. 25 -- A day after scores of construction labourers engaged in a violent face-off with security forces at the Panipat refinery at Baholi, deputy commissioner Virender Dahiya on Tuesday chaired a meeting at the facility and issued directions for no more "exploitation" of workers by contractors. The contractors accepted the workers' main demands regarding delayed salary disbursement and extended working hours. The police have also registered an FIR against unknown persons.

The main point of contention involved working hours as workers alleged they were paid for eight hours of duty despite regularly working for 12 hours.

The DC said there should be no discrimination against the workers and the contractors should "stop exploitin...