Ranchi: A week after an ammonia gas leak at a seafood processing unit in Tamil Nadu killed at least 16 people, 40 workers from Jharkhand have appealed to the state govt to expedite their return.The workers — 17 women and 23 men — are from West Singhbhum, Dhanbad, Pakur, Giridih, Dumka, Latehar and Sahibganj districts. They have been housed in a marriage hall in Tiruvallur district, nearly 5 km from the unit, since the June 21 incident.Another woman is undergoing treatment at a hospital, while Preeti Devi, a worker from Dhanbad, died on Friday.The workers alleged that despite repeated appeals, the state govt has not contacted them. They also claimed that no one reached out even after chief minister Hemant Soren directed the state migrant control room on Saturday to take necessary steps for their return, after a video showing their plight was circulated on social media.Mukesh Kumar Mahato from Dhanbad, who was employed at the unit, told TOI on Sunday that workers from Odisha and Assam returned home with support from their govts.“But we have not yet received any information on our return. We tried contacting a few MLAs for help but received no response. On Saturday, we recorded a video appealing to the state govt to expedite our evacuation. But even after 24 hours, we have not been contacted,” Mahato added.The workers said the Tamil Nadu govt has provided food, shelter and medical assistance at the camp.“But staying here feels like being in a jail. Officials take attendance three times a day and do not allow us to leave the hall. On the other hand, our family members are worried. We appeal to the state govt to expedite our return,” Mahato said.Shikha Lakra, team leader of the state migrant control room, said they are in contact with the Tiruvallur administration and are trying to evacuate the workers and bring back the mortal remains of Preeti.“We are trying to book train tickets but are facing some issues. When the tickets are booked, they will be forwarded to the district administration there and the workers will be brought back,” she added.
