By IANS,
New Delhi : The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) Friday sought the response of the Delhi government and the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) on the alleged death of three people while cleaning a manhole in the capital.
Terming the incident a serious issue of violation of human rights of the victims, the NHRC issued notices to Delhi Chief Secretary Rakesh Mehta, and Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) commissioner K.S. Mehra.
“The commission has taken suo motu cognisance of media reports alleging that three people died while cleaning a manhole in north west Delhi May 19,” an NHRC official said.
The human rights authority has asked for their reports within four weeks.
“The media reports alleged that two of the victims died after inhaling toxic gases while another was killed after he was forced by his employer to help them. It was also reported that while entering in the manhole the victims had covered their noses and mouths with only a handkerchief instead of a protective gear which is mandatory,” the official said.
The rights commission has also asked them to inform about the number of deaths caused during manhole cleaning in the last five years.