Second Factory Worker Death in Ludhiana Within Five Days Highlights Safety Negligence
In a tragic incident that underscores severe lapses in workplace safety, a factory worker in Ludhiana died on Tuesday, marking the second such fatality in the industrial city within just five days. The victim, identified as 53-year-old Balister Mahto, succumbed after a delay in receiving medical attention, raising serious concerns about the negligent attitudes of factory owners towards employee welfare.
Details of the Fatal Incident at Focal Point Factory
Balister Mahto, a long-time employee at Sharu Special Alloys located in Phase 7, Focal Point, Ludhiana, reportedly fell unconscious while on duty on Monday afternoon. According to family members, Mahto had gone to work as usual in the morning. Around 5 pm, his family received a distressing call informing them that he had fainted at the factory premises.
Alarmingly, Mahto lay unattended on the factory floor for approximately three hours before being rushed to a nearby private hospital. By the time he received medical care, doctors declared him dead upon arrival. The delay in shifting him to the hospital is cited as a primary cause of his death, highlighting a gross failure in emergency response protocols.
Police Action and Family Allegations
Based on a complaint filed by Mahto's wife, Usha Devi, the Ludhiana police have registered a case against the factory owner under charges of causing death by negligence. Inspector Kulbir Singh, SHO of Focal Point, confirmed that an investigation has been launched into the matter. The complaint alleges that the factory management adopted a dilly-dallying attitude, failing to provide timely assistance to the ailing worker.
Mahto, a native of Bihar, lived alone in Gobindgarh while his family, including his wife, three daughters, and two sons, resided in their village. Family members expressed outrage, stating that despite Mahto's years of service since the company's inception, the management displayed negligence during this critical time of crisis.
Second Tragic Death in Ludhiana's Industrial Sector
This incident follows another shocking workplace death that occurred just five days prior on March 20. In that case, 26-year-old Sachin Gautam fell into an iron furnace at Vital Steel Bars Limited on Buddewal Road in the Jamalpur area of Ludhiana. His body was completely burnt in the accident.
An FIR was filed against the factory owner, Aseem Agarwal, with the deceased's brother, Manu Gautam, alleging that inadequate security arrangements during the night shift contributed to the tragedy. The family also claimed they were not handed over Sachin's remains, preventing them from performing proper last rites, adding to their anguish.
Broader Implications for Worker Safety
These back-to-back incidents have ignited widespread alarm over the safety standards in Ludhiana's industrial units, which are pivotal to the region's economy. Experts and activists are calling for stricter enforcement of occupational safety regulations and immediate audits of factory conditions to prevent further loss of life.
The recurring theme of negligence by factory owners, as evidenced in both cases, points to systemic failures that endanger workers' lives. Authorities are urged to take swift action to hold accountable those responsible and implement robust safety measures to protect employees in hazardous work environments.
