The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has initiated action after a worker died and another was critically injured while cleaning a sewage tank in New Ashok Nagar, East Delhi. The NHRC has summoned reports from the Delhi Municipal Commissioner and the Delhi Police Commissioner within two weeks, expressing concerns over potential human rights violations if the news report is accurate.
The incident, as per media accounts, occurred on May 24 when two workers, allegedly without proper protective gear, were sent to clean the tank by the property owner. Both workers reportedly lost consciousness shortly after entering the tank and required immediate medical attention. Tragically, one worker was pronounced dead upon arrival at the hospital, while the other remains in a critical state.
This tragic event has once again highlighted the dangers associated with manual cleaning of sewage tanks, despite legal restrictions in place to prevent such incidents. The NHRC, established under the Protection of Human Rights Act, 1993, plays a crucial role in safeguarding and promoting human rights in India, ensuring the protection of individual liberties, equality, and dignity as enshrined in the Constitution and international agreements.
