2 held for manual scavenging

Pandeshwar police have arrested two persons on Thursday in connection with the manual cleaning of manholes near Lady Goschen hospital on Wednesday.

The arrested are Sanjay Mishra (38) and Ravindra Kumar Mishra (36), both natives of Bihar, who are maintaining Sulab Souchalay near Lady Goschen hospital.

The duo had used the services of two local labourers after the manhole in the vicinity was blocked. The police have booked the duo on charges of violating Manual Scavenging and Construction of Dry Latrine (Prohibition) Act, 1993. Both have also been produced before the court.

Meanwhile, the Mangalore City Corporation (MCC) too has decided to file police complaints with regard to the instances of violation of the Manual Scavenging Prohibiton Act in the City limits, with private individuals making workers to get into the manholes to clean it up.

Following continued media reports on the issues, MCC Commissioner Dr Harish Kumar said that action will be taken as per the Act.

The Commissioner has said that private individuals making workers get into manholes belonging to the City Corporation is a clear violation of the Act. He clarified that cleaning of the manhole is being taken up by the MCC using machines and any complaints with regard to chocking of manhole etc will have to be brought to the notice of the MCC itself.

“Individuals do not have the right to get the manhole cleaned employing labourers. This is a punishable offence and criminal cases can be booked against the guilty,” the Commissioner said.