Conservancy workers boycott work over assault on supervisor in Erode

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Conservancy workers staged a sit-in-protest over the assault of a sanitary work supervisor, on the Corporation office premises in Erode on Wednesday | Photo Credit: M. Govarthan

More than 500 conservancy workers of the Erode Corporation boycotted work and staged protests on Wednesday (September 2, 2026), demanding the arrest of a man who allegedly assaulted a sanitary work supervisor in the city. The agitation affected conservancy work in several parts of the city.

Rajesh Kumar, a sanitary work supervisor in Zone II of the Corporation, was allegedly assaulted by Sebastian, a resident of Bharathi Nagar, on Tuesday (September 1) afternoon.

According to the complaint, sanitary workers were cleaning a street in Ward 8 when Sebastian approached them and asked them to perform their duties properly. He allegedly warned them that they would be removed from service if they failed to do so and reportedly used abusive language.

When Rajesh Kumar questioned him, Sebastian allegedly slapped him. He also allegedly attempted to assault workers who intervened. Based on Rajesh Kumar’s complaint, the Erode North police registered a case under sections relating to the use of abusive language and assault.

The conservancy workers alleged that a woman worker who intervened to prevent the assault was also attacked. They also alleged that the police had not included a provision relating to criminal intimidation in the case and that the Corporation authorities had failed to take action against the accused.

Demanding his arrest, the workers staged a protest at the Corporation office and later at Panneerselvam Park. Corporation officials and the police held talks with the protesters, following which the agitation was withdrawn in the afternoon.

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