Despite the SC Ban, Three Men Die Cleaning Septic Tanks in Chennai

Even after protests against manual scavenging in Chennai, three people die after suffocating inside a septic tank.

Manual scavenging has been banned by the Supreme Court. (Photo Courtesy: The News Minute)

Even after protests against manual scavenging in Chennai last week, three people died after suffocating inside a septic tank on Tuesday morning in Thoraipakkam. The trio – Saravanan, Muthu and Muruggan – were from Kannagi Nagar in Chennai.

<p> These three men went into the septic tank of Thalappakatti Biryani restaurant in Okkiyampet. They died due to suffocation because of the gases inside the septic tank.</p>

Sunil, Treasurer, Democratic Youth Federation of India (DYFI)

He added that another sanitary worker, who was helping the three men, is also in a critical condition and has been admitted to the Royapettah Government Hospital.

The police have registered a case and have taken out the bodies from the tank.

Activist Narayanan of Change India blames the government’s apathy for the three deaths.

<p> This is a huge crime and these men have been murdered by the government’s apathy.</p>

Narayanan, Activist