NHRC Takes Suo Motu Cognisance of Ammonia Leak Incident in Tamil Nadu Shrimp Factory
New Delhi, June 22 (TNT): The National Human Rights Commission has taken suo motu cognisance of a media report regarding the death of two women and illness of several others following an ammonia gas leak at a private shrimp processing factory in Tiruvallur district of Tamil Nadu on Sunday.
According to the Commission, the incident occurred when ammonia allegedly leaked from the factory premises.
The workers were reportedly resting in a nearby room at the time of the accident.
Observing that the contents of the report, if true, raise serious issues of human rights violations, the NHRC has issued notices to the Chief Secretary and Director General of Police of Tamil Nadu, seeking a detailed report within two weeks.
The Commission has directed the state authorities to furnish details regarding the health condition of the affected workers and the status of compensation announced by the state government for the next of kin of the deceased workers.
According to media reports published on June 22, as many as 59 workers were admitted to various hospitals in Chennai and Tiruvallur following the gas leak.
The NHRC noted that the Tamil Nadu government has already ordered the formation of a three-member committee to investigate the incident.
The Commission said it would examine the report upon receipt and take further action as deemed necessary.
TNT KS