A 24-year-old employee of Tata Electronics and System Solutions died after falling ill at the company’s plant in Narasapur Industrial Area near Kolar, prompting workers to protest over an alleged delay in medical treatment and demand an inquiry into the circumstances of her death.
Sreemanthi, who was from Kurnool district in Andhra Pradesh, fell ill at around 8.30pm on Wednesday and was taken to the plant’s Occupational Health Clinic. She received preliminary medical attention there and was reportedly allowed to rest for some time. After complaining of severe abdominal pain, she was shifted to Jalappa Hospital in Kolar after midnight, where she died.
Kolar superintendent of police Kannika Sikrival said three doctors at the factory clinic attended to Sreemanthi after she fell ill. Vemagal police have registered an unnatural death report, and further investigation is under way, she said.
The death led workers from the evening shift to gather outside the plant and raise slogans against the authorities. Colleagues alleged that the company did not respond adequately to Sreemanthi’s condition and questioned why she remained at the factory for several hours before being shifted to a higher medical facility. They also claimed that she had called her family at around 10.30pm and told them that she was sinking.
Workers suspended their protest by Thursday afternoon after officials assured them that action would be taken if anyone was found guilty of negligence. Police officials, including Sikrival, visited the spot and spoke with the workers, bringing the situation under control within a couple of hours.
Narasimhamurthy, deputy director of the Department of Factories and Industrial Safety, also visited the premises with officials from the labour and other departments. He heard the workers’ grievances at the plant, which employs nearly 30,000 people across three shifts, according to the official.
Sreemanthi had reportedly worked at the company for three years and was living in paying guest accommodation. The premises were previously operated by Wistron, an iPhone manufacturer. In December 2020, workers at the facility had staged violent protests that resulted in extensive vandalism and reported losses of nearly Rs 100 crore, after which Wistron decided to shut its operations.
The police investigation and the review by the Department of Factories and Industrial Safety will determine whether negligence occurred in the medical assistance provided to Sreemanthi and whether any action is warranted.
