LI Network
Published on: 19 May 2023 at 15:32 IST
On Wednesday, a senior official reported that the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has sent a notification to the Tamil Nadu government and the chief of state police regarding allegations that three workers lost their lives due to the inhalation of harmful gases during maintenance work on a recently built septic tank in Cuddalore.
The National Human Rights Commission has acknowledged that if the information provided in the media reports is accurate, it constitutes a violation of the victims’ human rights.
In a statement, the commission expressed that it has independently taken notice of the media reports which indicated that three workers lost their lives on May 13 in a village in Cuddalore district of Tamil Nadu while conducting repair work on a recently constructed septic tank, due to inhaling poisonous fumes.
Consequently, the NHRC has issued notices to the chief secretary, director general of police, government of Tamil Nadu, and the commissioner of the local Nagar Palika in Cuddalore district.
The commission has requested a comprehensive report within four weeks, specifically addressing the actions already taken or planned by the state government to prevent such severe human rights violations against individuals who undertake dangerous sewage cleaning tasks without appropriate safety measures or equipment.
The authorities are also instructed to provide information regarding the status of any filed FIR (First Information Report) due to negligence on the part of the Nagar Palika or local government in terms of raising awareness about the immediate dangers associated with hazardous cleaning practices lacking proper safety gear.
Additionally, the NHRC seeks information about any compensation provided to the deceased workers’ next of kin.
