2 sanitation workers die cleaning septic tank in Tamil Nadu, DASAM seeks action

Two sanitation workers died after inhaling toxic fumes while cleaning a septic tank at a house in Annai Nagar, Vadugarpettai, near Kallakudi and Lalgudi in Tamil Nadu’s Trichy district on September 2.

The victims were identified as M Ganesh, 25, from Kumbakonam, and Mukesh Kumar, 26, from Bihar.

According to the Dalit Adivasi Shakti Adhikar Manch (DASAM), Mukesh entered the 12-foot-deep septic tank first to clean it but lost consciousness after inhaling poisonous fumes. Ganesh then entered the tank in an attempt to rescue him and was also overcome by the fumes.

Both men died inside the tank. DASAM said the workers had not been provided with safety equipment.

Fire and rescue personnel later recovered the bodies. Kallakudi police have taken up the case and are investigating the incident.

DASAM has called for a time-bound investigation and action against those responsible. The organisation said the investigation should establish who engaged the workers, who was supervising the cleaning work and why they were allowed to enter the septic tank without adequate safety measures.

It also questioned why mechanised cleaning equipment was not used.

DASAM said it had recorded 76 deaths linked to hazardous sanitation work across the country in the past eight months. It pointed to the Prohibition of Employment as Manual Scavengers and their Rehabilitation Act, 2013, which prohibits hazardous entry into sewers and septic tanks without protective measures.

The organisation also referred to Supreme Court directions on preventing sanitation-worker deaths, providing compensation and promoting mechanised cleaning.

DASAM has demanded Rs 30 lakh compensation and rehabilitation support for each victim’s family. It has also sought a statewide review of septic-tank and sewer-cleaning practices in Tamil Nadu and strict enforcement of mechanised alternatives.

The organisation said simply registering cases after workers die was not enough and called for accountability from those responsible for engaging and supervising the work.