Safety equipment was there, but manpower was missing, say police

NEW DELHI: A day after a 32-yearold labourer died while working inside a Delhi Jal Board sewer tank in north Delhi’s Jahangirpuri, the police said even though the man was equipped with safety gear, there wasn’t sufficient manpower at the accident spot to rescue him.

Doman Ray had drowned in a deep sewer tank at a DJB sewage pumping station at 5.30 am on Sunday after he entered to remove a valve to allow the flow of drain water.

According to AK Lall, additional deputy commissioner of police (north-west), a project manager and a supervisor were questioned about the circumstances of the death. The two officials work for a private firm that was hired by the DJB to carry out repair works in old sewer lines in Jahangirpuri. Ray was working for the private firm.

“Ray had an oxygen mask and a safety belt, but there were just two workers at the spot when he was trapped inside. Had there been two-three more workers at the spot, Ray could have been rescued,” said Lall.

The police also questioned other workers, who were an eyewitness to Ray’s death. However, no one was arrested on Monday. “We are in the process of checking documents about the terms of Ray’s employment. A decision on arrests will be taken on Tuesday,” said Lall.

A case of causing death by negligence and under sections of Prohibition of Employment as Manual Scavengers and their Rehabilitation Act has already been registered again the firm. “The death was caused by asphyxiation due to drowning,” said the officer. On Monday, Ray’s elder brother Ramesh visited Delhi to collect his body. Ramesh has been ill for a few months and said it was Ray who often paid for his treatment from his meagre salary.

Ray’s wife and one-year-old daughter lives with his in-laws in Bihar’s Katihar district. “Ray also took care of his wife, daughter and in-laws. We have all been orphaned,” said Ramesh, adding that the family is in debt after the last rites of Ray’s mother last year. Meanwhile, the National Human Rights Commission has taken cognizance of the death and sent notices to the Centre and the Delhi government on Monday.