Three workers die during septic tank cleaning: Police arrests owner of Pig farm; officials seal farm

Coimbatore: The owner of the pig farm in Saravanampatti here where three workers died of asphyxiation during cleaning a septic tank was arrested by the police on Friday.

The owner, Subramaniam (70) was booked under four sections including Section 284 (Negligent conduct with respect to poisonous substance likely to hurt or cause danger to any person), section 304 (Punishment for culpable homicide not amounting to murder) and the Employment of Manual Scavengers and Construction of Dry Latrines (Prohibition) Act of 2013. 

Later, the farm was sealed in the presence of Zonal Welfare Officer from Annur, Thasildhar and Revenue Officer. 

On Wednesday, three workers - Rajappan (38), Vediayappan (26) and Vediyappan (29) were cleaning a 10 feet septic tank at the pig farm owned by Subramaniam (70) near Saravanampatti here. 

According to reports, first Rajappan went into the pit. He developed breathlessness after inhaling poisonous gas and got trapped. Seeing him suffocate, the two other workers jumped in to rescue him. Later, all the three got asphyxiated and died.