From: Shiva Shankar <sshankar@cmi.ac.in>
Date: Wed, Apr 20, 2011 at 9:33 AM
Subject: death in a manhole
To:
The law against 'manual scavenging' is not enforced even in the
capital of this country.
Shiva Shankar.
-------------------
Two safai karamcharis die while cleaning manhole
TNN | Apr 18, 2011, 11.21pm IST
NEW DELHI: Two safai karamcharis died after inhaling poisonous gases
while cleaning a manhole in Bawana in northwest Delhi on Monday. The
victims have been identified as Harvinder (25) and Anil (26). The
incident was reported around 10.45am in DSIDC industrial area, said
cops.
The two were working for a private contractor hired by Delhi Jal Board
and were clearing a blocked sewer in the area when the incident took
place, said police. Cops said, Harvinder had climbed down the sewer
when he lost consciousness after inhaling the poisonous gases.
Police said Anil decided to go after Harvinder when he stopped
responding to his calls, but met with a similar fate. "When Anil
descended into the gutter , he too lost consciousness and subsequently
died. Another labourer Joginer was found lying unconscious," said a
cop.
While Anil and Harvinder were declared brought dead, Joginder is
reportedly critical.
***
Dear Friends, here is mail from Stalin K, the director of the award
winning film 'India Untouched'.
Please join the fight against manual scavenging.
Shiva Shankar.
-----------------
Hi Shiva, This video made by our community correspondent in Ludhiana
may interest you. Please feel free to circulate widely.
http://indiaunheard.videovolunteers.org/jai/lives-wasted-in-gutters/
Two manual scavengers were killed while working without any safety
masks or gloves which necessarily have to be provided by the
government. Men – particularly from the Chuhar, Mehathar, Halalkhor,
Lalbaghi, Bangi, Thotti and Jamadar lower castes – are commonly
employed as manual scavengers and sewage cleaners in India. These
caste subgroups are generally referred to as Valkimis. A Valmiki is
considered to be the lowest of the low in the caste hierarchy. In
Ludhiana, 90-95 percent of the Valmiki community are engaged in this
horrendous work; everyday their lives are under threat and their
dignity is taken away.
In this video our community correspondent, Jaikumar, highlights the
dangers of this work. He urges the government to make safety
provisions for these cleaners who work in sewers; the drains often
contain abnormally high percentage of carbon dioxide, varying amounts
of methane, hydrogen & hydrogen sulphide and a low percentage of
oxygen. When cleaners are directly exposed to these gases they fall
sick and even, as this video shows, die immediately.
Jai Kumar speaks about his community, "Members of my community are
poor and there are high levels of illiteracy. They aren't aware of the
dangers attached to these jobs or of other opportunities available. It
is crucial that they educated about the risks involved. Only then will
they be empowered to demand safety equipment and even an end to this
practice all together."
- Show quoted text -
On Wed, Apr 20, 2011 at 9:33 AM, Shiva Shankar <sshankar@cmi.ac.in> wrote:
The law against 'manual scavenging' is not enforced even in the
capital of this country.
Shiva Shankar.
-------------------
Two safai karamcharis die while cleaning manhole
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/delhi/Two-safai-karamcharis-die-whi
le-cleaning-manhole/articleshow/8021153.cms
TNN | Apr 18, 2011, 11.21pm IST
NEW DELHI: Two safai karamcharis died after inhaling poisonous
gases while cleaning a manhole in Bawana in northwest Delhi on
Monday. The victims have been identified as Harvinder (25) and
Anil (26). The incident was reported around 10.45am in DSIDC
industrial area, said cops.
The two were working for a private contractor hired by Delhi Jal
Board and were clearing a blocked sewer in the area when the
incident took place, said police. Cops said, Harvinder had
climbed down the sewer when he lost consciousness after inhaling
the poisonous gases.
Police said Anil decided to go after Harvinder when he stopped
responding to his calls, but met with a similar fate. "When Anil
descended into the gutter , he too lost consciousness and
subsequently died. Another labourer Joginer was found lying
unconscious," said a cop.
While Anil and Harvinder were declared brought dead, Joginder is
reportedly critical.
--
Stalin K.
Director
Video Volunteers - Empowering Community Voices
Phone : (W) 0832-2281032 (M) 99235-94635
Skype: stalink1234
www.videovolunteers.org/
http://twitter.com/videovolunteers
Watch our videos: indiaunheard.videovolunteers.org
------------------------------------
----
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