Telangana HRC probes Mission Bhagiratha labourer deaths
Hyderabad: Telangana State Human Rights Commission (TGHRC) took cognizance of the death of three labourers, who died of asphyxiation while working inside a Mission Bhagiratha ground-level service reservoir at Unjupalli village. A fourth labourer is currently recovering in the hospital after the tragic event, which unfolded on Tuesday morning.
The deceased have been identified as Neelam Tulasiram (37) from Lingapuram, Kaka Mahesh (34) from Unjupalli, and Ishaq (40) from Tanuku in Andhra Pradesh. The injured labourer, Kondal Rao from Kakinada, is undergoing treatment at Bhadrachalam Area Hospital.
According to a complaint from Immaneni Rama Rao, which gave a detailed account of the sequence of events that culminated in tragedy, “Neelam Tulasiram (37) and Kaka Mahesh (34) entered the sump first. On hearing their cries for help, Ishaq (40) entered the sump. After a while, another one, Kondal Rao, entered the sump as the trio did not come out. The other workers who noticed it checked inside the sump and found them unconscious. Tulasiram of Lingapuram and Mahesh of Unjupalli in Cherla Mandal were found dead after they were brought out.” Rao further added that “It occurred while the workers were engaged in fixing a water pump inside the underground sump, a confined space known for potential oxygen deficiency and accumulation of toxic gases.”
Other workers at the site, growing concerned, eventually checked the sump and found all four men unconscious. They were hastily pulled out. Tulasiram and Mahesh were declared dead at the spot. Ishaq tragically succumbed to his injuries while being transported to the Bhadrachalam Area Hospital.
The Cherla police have visited the scene of the incident and registered a case, initiating an investigation into the apparent safety failure.
Calls for Accountability and Compensation
The incident has sparked demand for accountability and quick compensation for the victims’ families. A formal appeal has been made to direct N Sridhar, IAS, of the Rural Water Supply (RWS) department, Government of Telangana, to ensure the following, First, the provision of Rs 25 lakh as compensation to the next of kin of each deceased victim. Second, the allocation of Rs 10 lakh for the injured labourer, Kondal Rao.
Third, take strict action against Srinivas, the Chief Engineer of Mission Bhagiratha. This is for his alleged failure to follow safety rules set for unorganised workers under the Unorganised Workers’ Social Security Act, 2008, and the Occupational Safety, Health and Working Conditions Code, 2020. Lastly, extend all other benefits from labour safety laws to the affected families, in addition to financial compensation.
