Jharkhand workers stranded in Tamil Nadu after ammonia leak; state government yet to respond
Forty-one migrant workers from Jharkhand who survived a deadly ammonia leak at a seafood export firm in Tamil Nadu’s Tiruvallur district remain stranded at a temporary shelter, with no assistance from their home state government to facilitate their return.
The ammonia leak occurred on June 21 at St. Paul and Peter Seafood Export Firm in Periyapalayam, killing 16 workers and hospitalising over 80 others. The victims included 13 workers from Odisha, two from Jharkhand, and one from Assam. The survivors were evacuated and housed in a marriage hall in Periyapalayam, where the Tamil Nadu government has been providing food, shelter, and medical care.
While representatives from the Odisha and Assam governments visited the affected workers and coordinated with local authorities to arrange their transportation back home by train, the Jharkhand government has not responded to repeated requests from Tiruvallur district officials. “We have sent emails and made phone calls to the Jharkhand authorities, but there has been no response so far,” a revenue official said. “Until then, we will continue to provide shelter, food, and medical assistance while trying to arrange their return.”
Stranded workers have expressed frustration and anxiety. One worker said in an appeal: “Everyone wants to return home, but we are not being allowed to leave. The Jharkhand government should take note of our situation and provide us with immediate relief.” Another worker, in a video message, described the mental stress: “We have been here for several days. We are provided food, but we are not allowed to go outside or leave. No one has informed us whether we will be sent home or what will happen next. Our identity documents are checked repeatedly.”
The incident highlights the vulnerability of migrant workers in India, who often lack adequate support from their home states during crises. The Tamil Nadu government has offered all possible assistance but cannot arrange travel without cooperation from Jharkhand authorities. Workers from Odisha and Assam have already been repatriated, leaving the Jharkhand group in limbo.
As the days pass, the stranded workers continue to wait for a response from their state government, hoping to reunite with their families soon.
