Bhubaneswar: The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has taken cognizance of the ammonia gas leak incident in Tamil Nadu which claimed the lives of 11 Odia migrant workers from Keonjhar.
A case was registered with National Human Rights Commission following a complaint filed by senior Koraput-based lawyer Anup Kumar Patra. The NHRC has registered the case as Diary No. 14816/2026.
The petitioner has requested the NHRC to direct the Chief Secretary and Director General of Police of Tamil Nadu to submit a detailed report on the incident, along with the findings of the ongoing joint inquiry committee.
In his complaint, petitioner Patra has highlighted the death of Rita Juang from Telkoi area along with 10 other Odia workers in the ammonia gas leak tragedy and demanded that the Tamil Nadu government and the factory management be ordered to pay Rs 25 lakh as compensation to the family of each deceased worker. It has also sought full coverage of medical expenses for the injured persons.
Additionally, the petitioner has requested the NHRC to instruct the authorities to provide proper rehabilitation, support, and facilities to the affected families, particularly those from Keonjhar district.
In his petition, Patra strongly criticized the unsafe working conditions and alleged employment of minors at the seafood processing unit. It has urged the Commission to direct legal action against the management of Sea Food unit.
He has also appealed for a comprehensive safety audit of all 6,669 hazardous industries operating in Tamil Nadu to prevent recurrence of such tragedies.
Notably, the tragic incident has caused widespread grief and anger in several villages of Keonjhar district after the bodies of the deceased workers were brought back home.
