Protest takes a toll on cops, MCD workers

Anna Hazare’s fight against corruption has started taking a toll on police personnel and MCD staff.

Anna Hazare’s fight against corruption has started taking a toll on police personnel and MCD staff.

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At least four inspector-level cops from central district on duty at Ramlila Ground are down with fever. Lower rank personnel have also fallen ill due to rains and the fact that they are not getting ample time to rest. And the worst part is, none of them are being granted leave.

An inspector said, “I have fever but I’m still working. Our staff is falling sick as they have to remain static at their duty points even in rain. We are drinking water and eating food distributed by volunteers.”

The protest has made the life of MCD workers difficult too. For the past six days Dharmender Singh, an MCD sanitation worker has been stationed at the ground with the vehicle that transports garbage, which has become his makeshift home.

Singh’s fate is shared by close to 300 MCD workers. “The amount of garbage being generated here is huge. As it has been raining, the trash starts decaying. So we have to keep on cleaning the area. We hardly get time to eat or sleep,” said Singh.