CPI(M) Tamil Nadu Politburo member K. Balakrishnan on Friday (June 26, 2026) demanded ₹25 lakh in compensation for the families of each of the workers who died in the ammonia leak at a seafood processing and export unit in Tiruvallur district, alleging the tragedy was the result of gross negligence by the factory management.

In a statement, Mr. Balakrishnan alleged the management had housed young women workers from other States in hostel accommodation under exploitative conditions and made them work until midnight, leading to the incident. 

He said some of those undergoing treatment were girls below the age of 16 and their condition was critical.

Questioning the government, he asked whether there was no time in the Assembly to discuss the deaths and the incident, in which 74 workers were affected by the ammonia leak. Calling the incident “not merely an accident but a massacre caused by administrative negligence”, Mr. Balakrishnan demanded that murder charges be registered against those responsible.

He also urged the State government to immediately release the report of the three-member inquiry committee constituted to probe the incident, ensure advanced medical treatment for the injured, recover adequate compensation from the company, and take action against officials found responsible for lapses. 

He further called for stronger social security measures for migrant and contract workers and comprehensive safety inspections at similar factories across Tamil Nadu to prevent such incidents from recurring.

Release report of panel: CPI

Meanwhile, the North Chennai district unit of the Communist Party of India (CPI) alleged that around 150 migrant workers who had been staying at a marriage hall for the past five days were being made to sign documents before being sent back to their native States. The party questioned whether such a move would affect the ongoing investigation into the incident and criticised the reported decision to ask families of those undergoing treatment to bear their own expenses.

The CPI demanded that the government immediately release the report of the three-member inquiry committee, provide ₹25 lakh in compensation to the families of the deceased, suspend officials responsible for lapses, and strengthen social security measures for migrant and contract workers.