NHRC issues notice to Bihar government & police over sanitation workers’ death

The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) today issued a notice to the State Government of Bihar and Police over the death of two sanitation workers taking suo motu cognizance.

New Delhi, Apr 13: The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) on Thursday issued notice to the Bihar government and police over the death of two sanitation workers.

Taking suo motu cognizance of a media report that two workers were choked to death after they entered to clean an underground drain in the Transport Nagar area in Patna on April 11, the Rights body has issued notices to the Chief Secretary, Senior Superintendent of Police, Patna, and the Commissioner, Patna Municipal Corporation calling for a detailed report in the matter within six weeks.

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The Commission asked to include the status of the FIR registered in the matter, departmental action taken against the responsible persons, and the relief and rehabilitation provided to the aggrieved families by the state authorities.

Reportedly, the sanitation workers were not provided with any safety gear by the employer company involved in cleaning drainage, the statement said.

The Commission has observed that the contents of a media report, if true, amount to a serious issue of violation of the right to life of the victims.

The Rights body said it has been consistently advocating a complete ban on the activities of hazardous cleaning without adequate and proper protective/safety gear or equipment. It also issued an Advisory to the centre, states, and local authorities on September 24, 2021.