Tension near Kattupalli port as agitating contract workers pelt stones at police

Tension prevailed near Kattupalli Port in Chennai as a group of protesting contract workers pelted stones at police personnel who arrived at the scene to prevent their agitation on Tuesday (September 2, 2025). Police resorted to a lathi-charge and shot two rounds of tear gas shells to disperse the attackers.

The commotion of workers started at a makeshift shed where they stay in the vicinity of the port around 10.30 am on Tuesday when the contractual labourers engaged by a ship building firm demanded compensation for one of their colleagues who lost his life after an accidental fall.

Police sources said the deceased has been identified as Amaresh Prasad (35) of Uttar Pradesh. He was a contract staff of the company. On Monday night, he reportedly tripped while climbing stairs in an inebriated condition, in the area where the makeshift shed is located. A dispute arose between the contractor and the workers over compensation and sending the body to his native town.

On Tuesday morning, the labourers gathered in large numbers demanding due compensation. The police were later deployed to avert any untoward incident. A few workers reportedly pelted stones at the police personnel who were standing with their lathis and shields.

A senior police officer said, “We had to use force lathi charge to disperse the irate workers and opened tear gas two rounds of tear gas to ensure that things do not go out of control.”

A score of police personnel sustained minor injuries and 75 workers were picked up for pelting stones. Additional Director General of Police and Avadi City Police Commissioner K. Shankar also visited the site.

Mr. Shankar said the contractor agreed to implement the demands of workers including due compensation to the deceased worker and transportation of the body to his native. Further talks were on.