New Delhi: 7th March, 2014
The National Human Rights Commission has taken suo motu cognizance of a media report that a person got asphyxiated while cleaning a manhole and the other who went to save his life died later in the ESI Hospital in NOIDA, Uttar Pradesh. The media report carried, on the 28thFebruary, 2014, also said that the incident happened when one Bablu Valmiki, Cleaner at the ESI Hospital was asked by his contractor to re-enter the manhole after he spotted that it was not properly cleaned. When Bablu did not return, one of his relatives, Shyamveer, entered the manhole to rescue him. However, he also became victim of poisonous gas. Reportedly, no protective gear was provided to them while entering the manhole.
The Commission has observed that the contents of the press report, if true, amounts to violation of human rights of the victims and has issued notices to the District Magistrate and Senior Superintendent of Police, Gautam Budh Nagar, Uttar Pradesh, calling for reports within four weeks.
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