Three factory workers died of asphyxia while cleaning a sludge tank in
a textile unit in the industrial area in Balotra town of Rajasthan on
Friday.
The trio descended 10 to 12 feet down the sludge tank of the Laljiwala
Mill for cleaning but fell unconscious therein. Sensing trouble,
fellow workers approached the tank after a while, but found them
unconscious.
They were rushed to a nearby private hospital where doctors declared them dead.
The deceased are identified as Gumana Ram (25), Vishambhar Tiwari (54)
and Shravan (32), police sources said.
The victims climbed down the tank without proper safety gears, which
they were supposed to wear, the sources said.
The police have initiated a probe into the incident, they said.
Former chief minister Ashok Gehlot expressed shock and grief over the
deaths in tragic circumstances. He said it is sad to hear that manual
scavenging is not yet to be fully abolished.
He called on the state government to ensure relief and adequate
compensation to next of kins to the three deceased.