The contract workers were protesting outside a lignite mine in Neyveli.
Speaking to IANS a police officer in Cuddalore said the contract workers mixed pesticide in water and drank it. They have been admitted to hospital and their condition was stable.
According to the police the contract workers were opposing their transfer to a different section.
NLC India Ltd (NLCIL) formerly Neyveli Lignite Corporation Limited a Navaratna enterprise of the central government is an existing profit making public sector enterprise engaged in mining of lignite and generation of power through lignite based thermal power plants.
--IANS vj/in
