Ranchi, Jun 30 (PTI) The Jharkhand government has facilitated the safe return of all 42 migrant workers from the state who were affected by the ammonia gas leak at a seafood processing facility in Tamil Nadu, an official said on Tuesday.
The workers have departed for Jharkhand by train, the official said.
State Migrant Cell head Shikha Lakra said that an industrial accident took place on June 21 at a private seafood exports facility in Tiruvallur, where an ammonia gas leak exposed several workers to the hazardous substance and led to the death of 14 people.
Following the incident, Chief Minister Hemant Soren directed the Labour, Employment, Training and Skill Development Department and the State Migrant Workers Control Room to ensure the safe evacuation and return of all affected workers.
“Under the supervision of the department’s senior officials, the control room coordinated with the Tiruvallur district administration, the Tamil Nadu Labour Department, Railway Board, Southern Railway and hospital authorities to carry out the rescue and relief operation,” she said.
She said that all 42 rescued workers expressed their willingness to return to Jharkhand.
“Following a request from the Jharkhand government, the railway authorities allotted a dedicated sleeper coach for the workers on the Alappuzha-Dhanbad Express. The workers departed safely from Chennai Central Railway Station on Tuesday. Food, drinking water and adequate security by the Railway Protection Force were arranged for the journey,” she said.
In the ammonia gas leak incident, Priti Devi, a migrant worker from Dhanbad, died during treatment at the Rajiv Gandhi Government General Hospital. The Jharkhand government coordinated with the Tamil Nadu authorities to complete the identification of the body, post-mortem examination and other legal formalities.
“Her mortal remains are being flown to Birsa Munda Airport, Ranchi and are expected to arrive on Tuesday evening. An ambulance has been arranged at the airport to transport the body to her native district of Dhanbad,” she said.
The state government, in a communique issued on Tuesday, said it is also working with the employer and the concerned authorities to ensure that the deceased worker’s family receives the compensation and all statutory benefits due under the applicable laws at the earliest. PTI ANB RG
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