Migrant labourers sprayed with disinfectant; mistake says corp

NEW DELHI: Scores of migrants, who were waiting in queues outside a school in Lajpat Nagar-3 for their screening before boarding a Shramik Special train, were sprayed with disinfectant by workers of the SDMC on Friday. The civic body, however, said it happened by “mistake” and said an official at the spot had apologised to the public.

The incident took place when hundreds of migrant workers, who have registered for trains, had gathered at Hemu Kalani Senior Secondary School for screening. A video of the incident was circulated on social media. A worker engaged in a sanitation exercise was seen spraying disinfectants on the migrant workers standing in queues.

SDMC said it happened because the worker could not handle the machine’s pressure .

“Since the school is in a residential colony, there was huge demand from residents for disinfecting the compound and the road. But due to the pressure of the jetting machine, the worker could not manage it for some moments. The staff has already been instructed to be more careful and attentive while doing the job in future.