Sanitation workers plan auto-tipper shutdown across Delhi over colleague's killing

Members of the Delhi Sanitation Workers Union will keep their small garbage collection vehicles, called auto-tippers, off the roads from Monday, August 17, to demand the arrest of the accused in the stabbing of their co-worker, compensation for his family and a government job for one of his relatives.

Union members said they would visit auto-tipper depots across Delhi to halt operations and would likely also hold a protest on Monday, August 17.

"If his family is not given a job or if they do not arrest the accused, we will shut down auto-tippers across Delhi from tomorrow," said Karan Singh Mahroliya, a member of the union. He said the auto-tippers would resume operations only after compensation was provided to the bereaved family.

The protest follows the death of Anil, a 27-year-old contractual sanitation worker engaged by the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) through a private company, who was allegedly stabbed in east Delhi's Kalyanpuri on Sunday.

According to police, Anil was attacked with a knife and suffered serious injuries. He was taken to a hospital, where doctors declared him dead. Police said they were examining CCTV footage and other evidence to identify the accused and establish the motive behind the killing.

Anil's family alleged they were initially informed by police that he had met with an accident, and only learnt on reaching the spot that he had allegedly been stabbed. The family said he had no known enmity with anyone.

Several sanitation workers subsequently staged a dharna in support of their demands.

Mahroliya said sanitation workers frequently face assaults and alleged that workers injured while performing their duties were not always provided adequate assistance.

"Officials do not support the workers at any level. When a sanitation worker is assaulted, no official even reaches the police station. Only the Sanitation Workers Union stands with them," he said, also citing a lack of support since the COVID-19 pandemic.

The MCD said it would ensure compensation to Anil's family, adding that its representatives had visited the family to convey the assurance.

The worker's body had not been taken for post-mortem till Sunday, August 16, evening, officials said.

(Inputs from PTI)