Manual scavenging claims three Dalit lives in Tamil Nadu

Three manual scavenger workers from the Dalit community died after inhaling poisonous gas while trying to clean a seven-foot-long septic tank in Tamil Nadu’s Tiruppur district.

Hari Krishnan (27), Saravanan (30), Venugopal (30), Chinnaswamy (36) and one more worked for a private dyeing factory, Aalaya Dyeing Mills, located in Karaipudur area. On May 19, they entered the tank without any protective gear.

Soon after, Hari Krishnan, Saravanan, Venugopal and Chinnaswamy



collapsed and fell unconscious after inhaling toxic methane gas. While Saravanan and Venugopal died while on the way to the hospital, Hari Krishnan breathed his last on May 20.

Chinnaswamy was still fighting for his life. The fifth man, whose identity hasn’t been confirmed officially, survived as he hadn’t yet entered the tank.

The Tiruppur police have registered an FIR against the factory owner Naveen, manager Dhanabal, supervisor Balasubramaniam, and vehicle owner Chinnasamy