Protest after protest after protest but no one to hear the pain of victims

BHOPAL: On Tuesday a large number of Bhopal gas tragedy victims held a demonstration in the national capital demanding adequate compensation, rehabilitation, medical care and punishment to the guilty.

Protest organised by Bhopal Gas Pidit Sangharsh Sahyog Samiti (BGPSSS) and CITU, was addressed by CPI(M) Parliamentary Group leader Basudeb Acharia and CPI(M) Polit Bureau member Brinda Karat.

The protesters alleged they were subjected to unethical drug trials and claimed fraudulent use of victims’ identity cards to benefit non gas victims.

Also a delegation presented a memorandum addressed to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh demanding prompt action on long standing demands of the survivors.

The delegation claimed that over five lakh genuine victims had been deprived of compensation on the basis of fraudulent medical categorisation of victims. The delegation also demanded that the Government should take effective measures to ensure extradition of Warren Anderson.

The memorandum said, “All gas victims be compensated according to international standards and the funds for this should be given by Dow Chemicals.”

“Gas victims should be compensated on the basis of permanent disability. The 26 year old fraudulent medical categorisation should be abandoned and standards adopted in the US for similar accidents should be followed,” said in the memorandum.