BBMP contractors booked for forcing labourers into manual scavenging

Two BBMP contractors have been booked for allegedly forcing labourers into manual scavenging.

The contractors are also charged for assaulting labourers when they refuse to clean without any safety kit.

Based on a complaint filed by one of the victims, H Abraham, the Whitefield police have registered a case on Tuesday against contractors K Srinivas and Puneeth. Both were booked under sections 5, 7, 8 and 9 of the Prohibition of Employment as Manual Scavengers and their Rehabilitation Act, 2013 and Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Amendment Ordinance 2014.

In his complaint to the police,  Abraham stated  that the contractors engaged around five labourers from the labour sheds in Hagadur to clean up clogged drains and manholes a few days ago.

Abraham and others observed that the contractors did not provide masks and gloves, and forced them to clean it without any safety gadgets. When Abraham objected, Srinivas and Puneeth assaulted him and refused to pay Rs 2,500 they owed him.

Other labourers, too, voiced objections to their contractors and threatened them for their salaries, pending since December. The Whitefield police have taken up a case and are investigating.