Midnight Crackdown in Chennai: Sanitation Workers’ Arrest Triggers Political Firestorm in Tamil Nadu

Arrest of Sanitation Workers in Chennai

On Wednesday night, Chennai police detained hundreds of sanitation workers who had been protesting for 13 consecutive days outside the Greater Chennai Corporation’s (GCC) Ripon Building. The action followed a Madras High Court order directing the clearance of the protest site. Reports indicate that the arrests were conducted past midnight, with many workers allegedly dragged away brutally.

Allegations of Inhumane Treatment

Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) president Vijay issued a strong condemnation of the MK Stalin-led DMK government, calling the arrests “inhumane and anarchic.” According to his statement, women sanitation workers fainted during the police action, sustained injuries, and were denied immediate medical attention.

Vijay claimed that the arrested workers were taken to multiple undisclosed locations, preventing them from contacting their families or seeking assistance. He questioned whether the state government considered sanitation workers “anti-national elements” and accused it of exhibiting authoritarian behaviour.

Protest Against Privatisation of Waste Management

Around 800 sanitation workers, employed under the National Urban Livelihoods Mission (NULM), had been protesting the GCC’s decision to privatise waste management in Zone 5 (Royapuram) and Zone 6 (Thiru-Vi-Ka Nagar) from August 1. These zones were among the last five under direct GCC control, as 10 out of Chennai’s 15 zones are already managed by private contractors, including Urbaser-Sumeet (Spain-based) and Ramky Enviro Engineers Ltd (REEL) (Andhra Pradesh-based).

The protesting workers warned that the move would threaten their job security, reduce their livelihoods, and expose them to potential exploitation by private agencies. They demanded that sanitation work remain under the NULM scheme and called for permanent employment for contract workers.

Political Attack on DMK’s Election Promises

Vijay alleged that the DMK had promised, while in opposition, to safeguard sanitation workers’ rights but had failed to deliver after coming to power. He urged the government to immediately release all arrested workers, provide them with an alternative protest site, and engage in dialogue to address their demands.

Broader Implications

The incident has ignited a wider debate on labour rights, government accountability, and the privatisation of essential civic services. The arrests, coupled with allegations of police brutality, are expected to heighten political tensions in Tamil Nadu, particularly as the issue affects a significant workforce directly linked to public health and sanitation services.