Pilibhit sanitation workers strike over suspensions and safety concerns

Pilibhit: Sanitation workers of the Pilibhit municipal council went on an indefinite strike Thursday in protest against the suspension of four colleagues without explanation.
City magistrate Vijayvardan Tomar attempted to resolve the issue by promising a solution within three days, but the strike continued. As a result, streets are now littered with garbage.
Executive officer Lalchand Bharti said the four workers were suspended for failing to maintain cleanliness at the banks of the Devha River during the immersion of Lord Ganesh's idols on Sept 17.
"The municipal council employs 349 sanitation workers, including outsourced staff. A departmental inquiry has been assigned to tax inspector Kamlesh Singh," Bharti added.
Municipal council chairwoman Dr. Astha Agarwal said the workers have demanded the suspension be lifted and that those who posted derogatory comments about them on social media face strict punitive action.
The protesters said, "Our working hours are endless, and we perform hazardous tasks like cleaning filthy drains and removing dead animals without basic safety gear. Suspending us without valid reason is harassment that we will not tolerate."