Chennai, June 22 -- The recent ammonia gas leak at a seafood processing unit in Tiruvallur district has sparked a fierce political row, with CPI(M) leader P Shanmugam levelling serious allegations of systemic negligence and the illegal employment of young labourers at the accident-hit facility.

Speaking to reporters on the incident, Shanmugam alleged that a large number of young workers, including minors, had been employed at the unit and said that most of those affected were between the ages of 16 and 25 years.

"A major accident has occurred. A large number of child labourers have been engaged in this work. Only workers between the ages of 16 and 25 are among those affected in this area. The factory inspectors of the Tamil Nadu Governm...