PURNEA, June 4 -- Four migrant workers died and several others fell critically ill in Bihar's Purnea district days after returning from Andhra Pradesh where they worked at a factory, officials said on Wednesday. The district administration along with medical teams has set up camps at their native village Jiyanganj and started the process to bring back other workers stuck at the factory. "The workers were working at Ashirwad Minerals Pvt Ltd, an industrial manufacturing facility in Andhra's Anantapur district, for a year. The plant specialises in producing industrial raw materials, primarily silica ramming mass and white calcium carbonate powder widely used in steel furnaces and building materials," Mohd Asad, a relative of one of the victims told HT. "Due to exposure to dust, they fell victims to respiratory diseases and when they became too feeble to work, they were asked to leave," he added. The workers are now undergoing treatment at government medical college and hospital (GMCH Purnea). "Four workers have already died and six others are undergoing treatment and their condition is critical," Asad further said. Mohd Farhan Alam, brother of Mohd Razi undergoing treatment, alleged there were no safety measures in place at the factory and they were forced to work long hours under hazardous conditions. Meanwhile, hospital sources said, "The chances of acute lung failure are very high among the workers. Given the condition of the patients, the toll will likely increase." Labour superintendent Jagannath Paswan told HT, "We have visited the affected village under Kasba block and search for remaining workers stuck at the factory is underway. We are also preparing a list of affected families so that they can be provided economic assistance under a state government scheme. If they are insured, they will be given a handsome amount." The victims have been identified as Mohd Masad (22), Mohd Mustfa (50), Kundan Kumar (25) and Arbind Rishi (18), all residents of different villages in Gurhi Panchayat. Meanwhile, Mohd Razi (22) and Mohd Danish (23) are critical. Vikram Kumar, Shrawan Kumar, Kupin and Sitesh (all aged below 22) are also undergoing treatment. Villagers alleged that a local contractor Mohd Junaid took them to AP, promising high paying jobs. "Now, the workers have returned with more diseases than money and their families have no option but to sell their valuables to meet the cost of their treatment," Asad further said. "Police should arrest Junaid and strict action should be taken against him," he added. Civil surgeon (Purnea) Dr PK Kanaujia said, "Most workers died in the past week, with the latest death on Tuesday, due to acute lung failure as they were exposed to toxic dust while working longer shifts. Other workers are also suffering from acute lung diseases. A medical team is camping at the village to attend to these cases."...