Have lost my son, what to expect now: Father of deceased worker

Fifty-five-year-old Vrishpal Pivhal choked up as he looked at the picture of his younger son Amit, who is no more. His worst fear came true when Amit died while cleaning a septic tank in Thane's posh housing society Pride Presidency CHS on Monday early morning. "I had heard of incidents where workers die while cleaning septic tanks and did not want my children to be involved in such a profession," Vrishpal said while he could not control himself from breaking down.

Although Vrishpal, who hails from Bhayander's Ambedkarnagar, spent his whole life cleaning streets and toilets, he wanted Amit to study and get a decent job. "I wanted him to study and do well in life. I did not want him to pursue a job such as this one as I know people suffocate to deat while cleaning septic tanks," he said.

Also Read: Mumbai: Three youth choke to death while cleaning septic tank

He further said that Amit never paid heed to his words and continued to take up temporary pieces of work as as a manual scavenger over the past one year. "I have tried to stop him many times, but he would take up such jobs that would pay him Rs 800 per day," the father further said.

Amit left the house on May 9 to clean a septic tank and he now, he will never come back, his father regrets. "When the incident happened, one of his co-workers called me up to pass on the information. The contractor did not even bother to tell us," he added. "I have lost my son. What can I say? What can I want?," he said.

Also Read: We are manual scavengers by poor livelihood, not by choice' says kin of deceased