India, March 5 -- An operational crisis has gripped the Food Corporation of India (FCI) Food Storage Depot at Bindukuri in Sonitpur district, as a standoff between a contractor firm and local labour groups has halted the unloading of essential foodgrains.

Purbanchal Banijya Vikash, the contractor firm responsible for transport operations, has alleged that local labourers and their leaders (sardars)- namely Bipul Nayak, Dilu Nag, Sujit Rai and Om Prakash Rai, are repeatedly obstructing work despite receiving substantial advance payments.

According to the firm, a rake of 42 wagons carrying foodgrains, earmarked for the defence forces, has been idling at the Bindukuri railway siding since March 2, incurring heavy daily demurrage losses.

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