NHRC takes suo motu cognisance of deaths of four workers in septic tank in Surat, calls for detailed report
New Delhi, June 10
National Human Rights Commission on Wednesday took suo motu cognisance of the reported death of four workers while cleaning a septic tank at a jewellery manufacturing unit in the Surat district, Gujarat.
Noting the breach of safety protocols, NHRC issued a notice to the Gujarat Chief Secretary and Surat Police Commissioner, calling for a detailed report on the matter within two weeks.
"The report is expected to include the status of the investigation and compensation, if any, paid to the next of kin of the deceased workers," NHRC stated in a release.
Four people died in Surat on June 7 after being exposed to toxic gas while cleaning an Effluent Treatment Plant (ETP) tank at a jewellery manufacturing unit in the Ashwini Kumar area, police said.
DCP Zone-1 Surat, Alok Kumar, said that the incident took place during the routine cleaning of a tank that collects waste from jewellery cleaning operations. He added that four workers went for the cleaning; one fell in, and the others who attempted to rescue him also fell, leading to four fatalities.
"The waste product of the jewellery cleaning flows into a septic tank, which undergoes regular cleaning to remove the accumulated sludge. This cleaning operation is carried out every two months. This morning, a team of four people went there to perform the cleaning. During the process, one man fell into the tank, and the other labourers who went to rescue him also fell in. A total of four deaths have been reported. We are currently registering a case of accidental death," the police official had told ANI.
The officer added that the victims were not equipped with proper safety gear, which likely contributed to the incident. He further stated that, prima facie, chemical poisoning appears to be the cause of death, though the final determination will depend on the post-mortem reports.
"Preliminary examination of CCTV footage does not reveal the presence of any required safety equipment. Prima facie, chemical poisoning seems to be the cause, as sudden deaths resulting from asphyxiation in such contexts often involve chemical poisoning. However, we cannot state this definitively until the doctor's post-mortem report confirms the cause of death," Kumar said.
Authorities have launched an investigation into the incident, and a case has been filed in connection with the deaths.
— ANI
Reader Comments
I'm not Indian, but this is a global issue. Workers everywhere deserve dignity and safety. The fact that four people died because of a lack of basic equipment like masks or ventilation is unacceptable. I hope the NHRC's report leads to real change.
Same old story. Workers are treated as disposable in India. The real culprits are the owners who cut corners on safety to save a few rupees. NHRC should not just ask for a report but also recommend criminal charges against the management. Enough is enough. 🛑
A sad reminder that even in 2024, manual scavenging and hazardous cleaning jobs still kill people. The government should enforce the Prohibition of Manual Scavenging Act strictly. This is a failure of both the state and the employer. Thoughts and prayers for the families. 🙏
This is so tragic, but let's be honest – the NHRC's cognisance is just a formality. Cases like these rarely lead to justice. The owners will pay a small fine and get back to business. We need stricter penalties and real accountability. Also, why are these workers not given proper masks and training? 😡
It's appalling that in the 21st century, people are still dying from toxic gas in a septic tank. The lack of safety gear is criminal. I hope the investigation leads to systemic changes in how such tasks are regulated. My heart goes out to the families.
We welcome thoughtful discussions from our readers. Please keep comments respectful and on-topic.