Tue Sep 02 10:17:39 UTC 2025: ## Summary:

Contract workers at a shipbuilding firm near Kattupalli Port in Chennai protested on Tuesday, September 2, 2025, demanding compensation for a colleague who died in an accidental fall. The protest escalated, with workers pelting stones at police. Police responded with a lathi charge and tear gas. Several police officers were injured, and 75 workers were detained. The contractor agreed to the workers’ demands, including compensation and transport of the deceased’s body.

## News Article:

**Worker Protest Turns Violent Near Kattupalli Port, Chennai**

**Chennai, September 2, 2025** – Tensions flared near Kattupalli Port today as a demonstration by contract workers demanding compensation for a deceased colleague turned violent. Labourers employed by a shipbuilding firm engaged in stone-pelting directed at police personnel who had arrived to maintain order.

The protest erupted around 10:30 am following the death of Amaresh Prasad (35) from Uttar Pradesh, a contract worker who reportedly fell while intoxicated at the workers’ makeshift housing on Monday night. A dispute arose between the contractor and the workers regarding compensation for Mr. Prasad’s family and the transport of his body back to his hometown.

As workers gathered in large numbers to demand fair compensation, police were deployed to prevent escalation. However, the situation deteriorated when some workers began throwing stones at the police.

In response, police used a lathi charge and fired two rounds of tear gas to disperse the crowd. “We had to use force…to ensure that things do not go out of control,” said a senior police officer.

Several police personnel sustained minor injuries in the melee. Authorities detained 75 workers accused of stone-pelting.

Additional Director General of Police and Avadi City Police Commissioner K. Shankar visited the site and engaged in discussions. According to Mr. Shankar, the contractor has agreed to meet the workers’ demands, including providing compensation to the deceased worker’s family and facilitating the transport of his body. Further negotiations are ongoing.

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