The death toll of Odia workers in the Tamil Nadu ammonia gas leak tragedy climbed to 14 after 21-year-old Anjali Juang of Kharaba village, Keonjhar district, succumbed to her injuries.
The incident has exposed shocking allegations of illegal recruitment and identity fraud involving migrant workers from Odisha. The Odisha Labour Department filed a complaint at Telkoi police station against labour contractor Srikanta Juang of Rangamatia village, accusing him of forging Aadhaar cards and other identity documents to employ minor girls in hazardous work.
Officials stated that the contractor lured workers with promises of high salaries before sending them to Tamil Nadu in October 2025. Several minors were allegedly shown as adults using forged documents. One case involved Yamini Juang, a minor from Rangamatia village, who was employed under the identity of Parbati Juang, an adult woman. Yamini died after exposure to toxic ammonia gas during the leak.
The Labour Department requested police to investigate charges of illegal recruitment, human trafficking, employment of minors, forgery, and cheating. A special police team will travel to Tamil Nadu to pursue the case further.
The ammonia leak occurred on June 21 at a private seafood processing unit in Kannigaipair village, Tiruvallur district. Around 120 migrant workers from Odisha, Assam, and Jharkhand were present when toxic fumes spread, causing breathing difficulties, dizziness, and eye irritation. Several collapsed inside the factory.
The tragedy has sparked outrage in Odisha, with demands for strict action against contractors and better safeguards for migrant workers.
