New Delhi: Almost 30 years after the Bhopal gas tragedy, several survivors of the world’s worst industrial disasters will today 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 today.
“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, said.
On the intervening night of December 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 gas.
Namdeo said they are demanding that compensation be given to all victims and that the death figures be corrected.
IANS
