LUCKNOW, Sept. 12 -- Sanitation workers stopped cleaning operations in 19 wards of Lucknow Municipal Corporation's Zone 3, including localities like Aliganj, Purania and other nearby areas, after a protest over a private agency's management, alleging harassment, delayed salaries and inadequate resources. The agency handles door-to-door waste collection and road sweeping in five zones of the state capital. Employees' leader Deepu alleged that workers faced harassment despite playing a key role in maintaining cleanliness in the city. Workers also alleged that the agency failed to provide adequate tractors, trolleys, loaders and drivers, despite assigning sanitation duties. A worker, Reshma, said employees report around 4am and mark attendance through thumb impressions but have no fixed departure time. She alleged that salary payments remained irregular for nearly two months. Workers also alleged that repeated complaints to the agency and municipal officials failed to bring any action, forcing them to to take the extreme step of stopping work. Lucknow Municipal Corporation Zone 3 in charge Ajeet Rai said though work was disrupted, workers resumed operations and ended the protest soon after he met them....