Tamil Nadu Ammonia Gas Leak Jharkhand Workers Allege Confinement Tiruvallur

Nearly a week after an ammonia gas leak at a seafood export unit in Tamil Nadu claimed 15 lives, around 40 Adivasi workers from Jharkhand employed at the factory have alleged they have been confined to a private marriage hall by the district administration since the day of the incident. The allegations have prompted the Jharkhand government’s intervention.

The June 21 ammonia leak at St Peter’s Paul Seafoods Exports Private Limited in Tiruvallur district has so far affected 83 workers. While 28 have been discharged, 40 remain under treatment, including two on ventilator support, nine on oxygen support and 29 reported to be stable. The death toll has risen to 15 after Preeti Devi from Dhanbad district died on June 26.

Chundri Pingua (18), from West Singhbhum district, had travelled to Tamil Nadu with her elder sister in search of work.

Mukesh Kumar, from Gomoh in Dhanbad district, said the workers had been told they would be allowed to leave only after coordination with the Jharkhand government.

Speaking to The Indian Express, Tiruvallur District Collector S. Kavitha confirmed Preeti Devi’s death. She said the district administration is coordinating with the Jharkhand Labour Department and that the body will be airlifted to Jharkhand Saturday or Sunday after her family completes the identification formalities.

Shikha Lakra from the State Migrant Workers Cell told The Indian Express that the department was in touch with the Tamil Nadu administration.

“We are coordinating with the authorities there. We expect to bring back all the Jharkhand workers by Monday,” Lakra said.

The workers, however, said they also want the company and the authorities to ensure that those affected by the gas leak receive compensation and that their pending wages are cleared before they leave Tamil Nadu.

Of the 15 victims, 12 are from Odisha, two from Assam and one from Jharkhand.