DMC seeks state govt action against councillor accused of assaulting sanitation worker

Dehradun: The Dehradun Municipal Corporation (DMC) has written to the state govt seeking action against a councillor accused of assaulting a sanitation worker, following a two-day strike by civic staff that was called off on Saturday. Sanitation work will resume in Dehradun from Sunday except in the Panditwari ward where the strike will continue indefinitely. Municipal commissioner Namami Bansal, in her communication to the state govt, sought appropriate action in the matter and emphasised the need to frame clear conduct rules for employees and councillors to prevent such incidents in the future.The strike began on Thursday after a 44-year-old sanitation worker, Maya, alleged that her area councillor assaulted her, threatened her with dismissal and used casteist slurs, leaving her with a fractured wrist. Sanitation workers submitted a police complaint, demanded the councillor's removal and warned of an indefinite strike. However, an FIR has not yet been registered.Following a meeting with mayor Saurabh Thapliyal and commissioner Bansal on Saturday, the workers agreed to suspend the strike. "We were assured of strict action and the formulation of a behavioural manual to guide future disciplinary proceedings. The boycott was suspended ahead of upcoming festivals to avoid inconvenience to residents," said workers' union president Sonu Khairwal.Union members, however, said sanitation work in the Panditwadi ward, where the alleged incident occurred, will remain suspended until action is taken against the councillor.Commissioner Bansal said, "The civic body is taking steps to maintain cleanliness in the city and to ensure such incidents do not recur."