Ludhiana, Sept. 3 -- A day after heavy rains inundated Ludhiana and caused widespread power outages, outsourced linemen and assistant linemen employed as CHB (Complaint Handling Bikes) and CHW (Complaint Handling Wagons) on Wednesday said they were being made to work on live electricity lines without proper safety gear.

In the past three months, Ludhiana has witnessed four such fatalities. Despite recurring accidents, workers said their outsourcing firms have failed to provide safety gear for over two months.

Highlighting the dangers, workers noted that wet conditions and moisture increase the risk of electrocution. They said they are forced to work without essential safety equipment such as earth sticks, rubber gloves, rubber shoes, sa...