Ammonia leakage: Cuncolim Police book management of fish meal plant

Team Herald

CUNCOLIM: Cuncolim Police on Saturday registered an offence against the management of the fish meal plant Quality Foods following the ammonia leakage which resulted in the death of a worker on Friday. 

Cuncolim Police sources informed media persons that they have registered an offence against Quality Foods management under Section 304A for causing death by negligence and under Section 337 of IPC for causing hurt by act of endangering life. No arrest has been made in this regard.

It may be recalled that the ammonia gas leakage at fish meal plant Quality Foods in the Cuncolim Industrial Estate claimed the life of a 23-year-old worker Kishan Kumar, a Uttar Pradesh native and resident of Cuncolim IDC who was sleeping in  Tap Tools factory next door. 

Demanding a high-level inquiry into the incident, the locals alleged that due to negligence on the part of the managements of the Quality Foods and Tap Tools Factory a worker lost his life. 

Locals blamed the factory management and those responsible for the safety of workers such as Goa Industrial Development Corporation, Factories and Boilers, Labour Department and even police officers for the man-made calamity.

Locals claimed that several such incidents have occurred in past, many workers have lost their lives but factory owners have managed to cover up these incidents through malpractices. 

Locals have demanded that the Chief Minister and Industries Minister take cognisance of the incident.

“All is not well with the 

Cuncolim Industrial Estate. All sorts of illegalities are taking place in the estate without any fear for the law. The authorities are not concerned about the illegalities taking place and hence the workers and locals are facing the problems. The authorities must find out how many factories are following security norms. Many industries are operating without permission from the Fire and Emergency Department. Many industries are operating without security measures. Strict action needs to be taken against those who are playing with lives of poor workers. These workers must get justice, demanded Aviraj Fadte Dessai, a social activist from Cuncolim.

“Nothing is right at the Cuncolim Industrial Estate. Nobody is serious with regards to the safety of locals and workers. Many workers have lost their lives but no one is bothered? Need to know if these industries are following security audit from the time-to-time. Need to train the workers and locals on safety precautions and also with regards to saving lives during emergencies. Factory and Boilers Department is not maintaining a strict vigil on misconduct of these industries. Why have the authorities allowed residential rooms for workers in factory premises? We all must come forward to fight this injustice,” said Dr. Jorson Fernandes, a noted doctor and social activist.

Demanding action against Quality Foods and Tap Tools Factory owners for gross negligence, councillor Shashank Dessai said, “We had demanded fire brigade at the IDC but the government has done nothing. We need to fight for this negligence.”

Expressing displeasure over the ammonia incident, Sandeep Naik, a youth from Cuncolim said, “No arrest has been done by Cuncolim Police. Are the police protecting the culprits? Police should have arrested the management officials from both the factories. Police must find out if these workers are covered under ESIC and other insurance. These innocent workers should get justice.”