Relatives of deceased fireworks unit workers demand higher compensation

Refusing to accept the bodies from the Government Hospital here after the post-mortem on workers who died in a fireworks unit following accident, the relatives urged to give higher compensation from the employers on Wednesday.

Traffic suffered on the Virudhunagar-Mallankinaru road as the relatives and a few trade union representatives resorted to a stir seeking higher relief. Citing Supreme Court orders, the workers said that the compensation of ₹5 lakh was low and unfair. They wanted ₹10 lakh from the employers, with whom they worked on rolls.

Police personnel rushed to the spot and pacified the agitators to accept the body and assured for a talk through proper channels. Not in a mood to listen, they said that they would go ahead with sit-in-protest until their ‘just’ demand was accepted.

After repeated persuasion, they were told to make a representation to the district administration and that they would facilitate for a meeting. Following an assurance, they dispersed.

Government Hospital sources said that out of the eight persons killed in the accident at Chinnakamanpatti near Sattur on Tuesday, the relatives of Ramajeyam, Lakshmi, Nagapandi, Chellaiyapandian and Punniamoorthi refused to take the bodies