New Delhi, February 15 The family of a 25-year-old man who died after falling into a pit dug by the Delhi Jal Board held a protest on Sunday at the incident site in west Delhi's Janakpuri, demanding justice, compensation, and action against those responsible.
Kamal Dhyani, a bank employee, fell into a nearly 15-foot-deep pit on the night of February 5 and 6. His family has alleged that there were no adequate safety arrangements or barricades around the excavation site.
"We are not offering opinions. This is our demand. A 25-year-old youth has lost his life, and the family must receive justice," said Kamal Dhyani's uncle, whose name is also Kamal Dhyani, while addressing the protesters.
He alleged official negligence and said his nephew was the sole breadwinner of the family.
"He died due to the government's negligence. One dependent should be given a government job, those responsible must be punished strictly, and the family should be given proper compensation as per rules," he said.
Another protester, Renu Ghildiyal, said the family has received no concrete assurance so far. "We only want justice for the boy. The administration must take responsibility for its mistake," she said.
Gopal Singh, a representative of a migrant organization from Uttarakhand, claimed that a timely response could have saved the youth's life. "If the police response and medical help had arrived on time, his life might have been saved. This is a case of gross negligence," he said.
Listing the demands, Singh said, "Action should be taken against the construction agency and officials responsible, adequate compensation should be announced, and one family member should be offered a government job.”
He said that until these demands are met, the indefinite protest will continue. The agitation could be intensified if the government failed to respond, he added.
"If no representative comes to assure the family, we will decide the next course of action," Singh said.
A senior police officer said that seven people were detained in connection with the protest and later released.
"Adequate police force has been deployed at the site to maintain law and order," the officer said, adding that the situation remained under control.
In the morning, family and friends paid tributes to the victim.
The police officer said that around seven people were adamant that they would sit indefinitely at the site, even after six hours.
They were requested earlier to leave as tribute was already paid, and a memorandum was also submitted, but they refused, so they had to be removed, he added.
Placards reading 'We will not remain silent' and 'Give justice to the son of the hills' were displayed during the protest.