NGO working for Bhopal gas victims announced a public hearing

BHOPAL: A public hearing has been called by the Non-government organisations (NGOs) fighting for justice for Bhopal gas disaster victims to find out the truth behind alleged police firing on protestors three days ago.

They want the hearing to be headed by a retired judge of either the Supreme Court or high court on the 27th anniversary of the tragedy; police resorted to baton charge and opened fire in the air on protestors who staged a ‘rail roko’ agitation.

Bhopal Gas Peedit Mahila Stationery Karmchari Sangh Rashida Bi said, “The first act of police was to snatch away our PA system by disconnecting the communication line.”

She claimed she saw police instigating violence. She also added after the agitation was called off, a large posse of policemen entered individual homes and shops in Umrao Dulha Baug and beat up people and damaged property.

For successful prosecution of police officials NGOs have appealed to citizens who had recorded the violence to send pictures as evidence.

Speaking on police charges against Bhopal Gas Peedit Nirashrit Pensionbhogi Sangharsh Morcha president, Balkrishna Namdeo Bhopal Group for Information and Action (BGIA) leader Satinath Sarangi said, “If police can present any visual or evidence to substantiate their charges against Namdeo, we will ourselves take him to jail.”