Victims and survivors of the Bhopal gas leak tragedy on Saturday called off the rail roko — which was launched demanding correct figures of death cases and more compensation — following an assurance from Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chauhan.
Mr. Chauhan met five representatives of the victims separately and assured them that he would personally talk to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on the revised compensation for cases of “death caused by temporary or permanent injury” by qualifying them as cases of “death caused due to the gas leak.”
“We have been assured that the figures will be corrected in January, before the hearing of the curative petition scheduled for February. If that does not happen, we will re-launch our agitation,” Rachna Dhingra of the Bhopal Group of Information and Action told The Hindu.
On the other hand, Minister for Gas Relief Babulal Gaur told a TV channel that the fate of the victims was now at “God's mercy.”
“It is because of this attitude of the Minister that we decided to directly meet the CM,” said Ms. Dhingra.
Earlier in the day, the agitators, who blocked major railway lines going through Bhopal, turned violent at Barkhedi in old Bhopal after the police reportedly beat them up. Some anti-socials took advantage of the situation and started throwing stones at the police.
Ms. Dhingra said: “The police lathicharged a group of women protesters after they burnt an effigy. This angered the men who retaliated by pelting stones at the police. In the process, some people sustained injuries and a police vehicle was torched.”
Bhopal activist Abdul Jabbar condemned the incident. “The struggle for justice has been going on for 26 years and yet there has never been any violent incident ever. There is no room for violence in a peaceful agitation,” he said.
Keywords: Bhopal gas tragedy, rail roko protest, lathicharge, Barkhedi railway crossing, Bhopal victims
In general governments are condemned for such incidents and no one sees the arrogance of the protesters.How the rail blocked affecting thousands of innocent people, property destruction and stone pelting on cops can be justified ?. Not only govt or politicians are responsible for injustice to real gas victims but thousands of unaffected people have pick pocketed the amount meant for victims there fore such people are equally responsible and deserved to be condemned.
Not only the Indian government failed to protect the interests of the
victims of a great corporate crime by UCC and its successor Dow but it
gave Dow another project in India a few years back, of all things to
research in poisonous gases.The collector helped the project builder to
conduct its work secretly by giving police protection. But for the
bravery of the farmers ofPUne, the project would have gone through.
Ministers and civil have niot been touched leave aside their being
exposed. That is India.
Commentators have no idea of the ground realities. Most of the claims are bogus. Every body seems to be out to get a share of the large booty. Those who are seriously interested in the issue should have a look at the records of Bhopal Gas Tragedy Welfare Commissioner, who is a sitting High Court Judge, adjudicating the claims and paying out crores of rupees given by the Govt. for the vistims.
Excellent.... Democracy at its best.
We don't need such a system any more
shame to all of us.
It is all very easy to accuse this governement only. Indian
Authorities are at fault in this case... But these victims are
primarily poor people. And decsion makers in India are just not
interested in fighting poverty. They prefer to steal their country
rather than uplift it. It is a big shame on the selfish rich of India,
particularly all the nouveaux riches who have become very wealthy
almost overnight. They treat their fellow countrymen like dogs and
cannot afford to pay their servants adequately. In a nutshell they run
India in the same manner as the East India Company. They should be
ashamed of their action but will just never care for their have lost
their Indian soul and heart for their gold....
I do agree that such actions are not all democratic but do we as a citizen understand that immature steps like Rail Roko, Road Jams, Strikes, Dharna, nailing down cities, etc. not only disrupts the progress of a nation but actually disturbs the normal life of other citizens as well. Is is justifiable to show anger for your suffering by causing the same for others. Do we realize that a patient in such a situation may not able to reach Hospital.. who knows that because of such agitation few may have not attended the verdicts in the court which they might have been waiting for years.. etc. etc. etc. We should know the difference between Destruction and Demands. Do a Gherav of Neta's home in front of media but dont play with the public property.
now i am feeling that what happened with our central government and this
is a totally shameful and absurd subject which will need to finalize its
victims who are alive remaining
what better to expect of a nation where a prominent member of the ruling party Abhishek Singhvi is actually representing Dow chemicals in court (although for a different case).
Until people put nation and fellow people above money from such corrupt forces, they will continue to enjoy a holds-free run.
This is simply atrocious - that, Manmohan Singh doesn't come out and make a bold statement empathizing with the sufferers makes one wonder how different he is from the rest of his clan.
The victims are lathi charged even after 27 tragic years of suffering. The central and State governments are impotent in bringing justice.Now Dow chemicals is a sponsor in the coming Olympic Games in London.If we have any pride and prestige,the Indian Government would have vehemently registered their opposition and if it did not work,they would have given a boycott notice.Now it is for the athletes to decide whether to participate or not.We have a government which is running after America and its coterie.
Excellent.... Democracy at its best. No words I have to describe this shame.
Just for Awareness, Other Countries like Saudi Arabia wherein around 350 people died from Flooding in Jeddah 2009, gave Saudi riyal 1 million which is equivalent to Rs1.3 Crore for Victims family. This included 5 Indians whose family also benefitted. This highlights that the value given for human life needs much improvement from Indian Govt.
It is shame the to the government that it failed to provide succour to the gas victims, who struggle for justice even after two decades.
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