In all five men were affected | National Human Rights Commission takes notice | Pull up Chief Secretary and Police Commissioner
Taking suo motu cognizance of media reports about death of two labourers while cleaning septic tank in Rohini; NHRC asks Delhi Govt. for a detailed report.
As per reports, a criminal case was registered under sections 304/34 of IPC along with relevant sections of the SC/ST Act and Prohibition of Employment as Manual Scavengers and Rehabilitation Act.
- The incident affected five men of which two died and three are struggling for life in a hospital
- The labourers were forced to enter an unauthorized 10 feet deep septic tank at an under-construction house in Delhi.
- Having initially declined to clean the tank, the house owner and mason threatened to slash 3-day wage, blackmailing the men to comply.
- NHRC condemned the uncivilized attitude of people gathered in the crowd, which reportedly refused to help the victims, terming them as untouchables.
- The commission has asked the Delhi Government to submit a detailed report on the matter within six weeks.
The victims were reportedly refused help by the crowd of on-lookers as they were deemed UNTOUCHABLES.
The commission noted that there could be multiple reasons which lead to the deaths. It observed that the manner of unauthorized construction of the septic tank and unethical way in which the labourers were forced to go inside the tank without any safety gear or training, caused the loss of two precious lives.
The commission also inquired if the Delhi government has issued any guidelines with regard to prohibition of unauthorized construction and cleaning of septic tanks, if so, why it hadn’t ensured strict compliance.
It also ordered the government to draw out proper instructions to deal with the issue moving forward.
