The National Human Rights Commission seeks a report on ammonia leaks in a meat factory in Aligarh, Uttar Pradesh. The National Human Rights Commission intervened in the incident after around 100 workers fell ill after inhaling ammonia. Proceedings are suo moto based on media reports. The Commission has directed the Aligarh District Magistrate and Uttar Pradesh DGP to submit a report on the incident within four weeks.
The National Human Rights Commission sought a report on this on Friday. In the statement requesting the Commission's report, it was explained that most of the 100 employees of the factory where the ammonia leak occurred were women. An ammonia leak occurred in a meat processing plant in Aligarh on September 22. It is reported that the pipeline that caused the gas leak was faulty, and instead of replacing it, the gas leak was only recently repaired. It is also alleged that information about the need to change the pipeline was not brought to the attention of the authorities. The women workers who were engaged in packing work were paralysed after inhaling ammonia. The factory is located in Rorawar, an area of Aligarh.
Due to the gas leak, disabled workers were admitted to the hospital. The doctors explain that they have overcome the danger level. The National Human Rights Commission has assessed that there was a serious failure on the part of the factory owners and the local government, and there was a violation of human rights in the incident. The Human Rights Commission has asked for a report containing the steps taken in the incident and the hospital expenses of the workers. The commission has also sought a report on the licence of the meat processing plant and whether there was any form of compensation from the government for the disadvantaged workers. Six people have been arrested in connection with the incident. The police have registered a case against seven people. Factory owner Haji Zaheer is absconding. Police say that child labour is suspected in the factory.
