New Delhi: Almost 30 years after the Bhopal gas tragedy, several survivors of the world's worst industrial disasters will Monday commence an indefinite fast here, demanding additional compensation for all survivors and correction of data in the curative petition filed in the Supreme Court by the central government.
To make their voices heard, five women survivors will sit on a total hunger strike at Jantar Mantar here from Monday.
"We have been trying to seek an appointment with Prime Minister Narendra Modi since the last two months, but have been unsuccessful. We have been forced to sit on such a strike in Delhi," Balkrishna Namdeo of Bhopal Gas Peedit Nirashrit Pension Bhogi Sangharsh Morcha, told IANS.
On the intervening night of Dec 2-3, 1984, a toxic gas leak from the Union Carbide Corporation's pesticide plant in the Madhya Pradesh capital killed and affected thousands of people.
Around 3,000 people were killed instantly and many others suffered a lingering death over the years. It left victims injured and maimed, with many suffering lung cancer, kidney and liver failure and eye disorders after coming into contact with toxic methyl isocyanate (MIC) gas.
Namdeo said they are demanding that compensation be given to all victims and that the death figures be corrected.
"The figures in the curative petition are much lesser than the findings of the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) itself, which are government figures. These figures need to be corrected," he added.
Echoing similar sentiments, Bhopal Gas Peedit Mahila Purush Sangharsh Morcha president Nawab Khan told IANS that the government was not delivering on the promises it made.
"Will our voices be heard only when the condition of these women will worsen," he wondered, adding that the new prime minister has promised "achhe din" to all and they were waiting for their good days to arrive.
Comments
| Quick linksNews
National
International
Regional
Politics
Education & Career
Business
Science & Technology
Health
Views & Analysis
The Funny Side
© 2012 Awaz Multimedia & Publications. All rights reserved.
Mulls introduction of Urdu as optional subject in Marathi medium schools; Urdu medium schools up to HSC and online auction of Wakf lands
Minister of Minorities Development Eknath Khadse Friday presided over the first meeting of..... More
Also Read: Expectations high as a non-Muslim heads Maharashtra Minorities Ministry
The washing ritual begins with the performance of two raka'hs of Nafl prayer inside the Kaaba. The interior walls are then cleaned with rose, oud and musk perfumes using white colour of .... More
Ladies and Gentlemen, this man is sulking. Clearly. He didn't get the leftover crumbs from the BJP table. Hence all this hullabaloo. Throw some at him and he will be back to issuing his support for BJP under PM Modi in the next general elections .This Imam is craving for attention. Don't feed the..... More
In November 2013 while handing over the task of dumping the city wastes and garbage to a private contractor, Mayor Tahira Shaikh Rasheed had promised to convert Malegaon into Singapore. No litter will be seen anywhere from now on, and the city roads .... More