By IANS,
Bhopal : More than 200 survivors of the Union Carbide gas disaster burnt an effigy symbolising corruption and demonstrated against “Corruption in medical care, rehabilitation and compensation disbursement”.
The demonstration, on the 69th anniversary of the ‘Quit India Movement’, was part of the nationwide preparations for the Anna Hazare-led India Against Corruption campaign beginning Aug 16.
Leaders of the five organisations of survivors who orchestrated the demonstration said that corruption at all levels of the central and state governments and the judiciary was a significant reason behind the denial of adequate medicare, rehabilitation and compensation to the survivors of one of the worst industrial disasters in 1984.
“A strong Lokpal Bill, and not the weak and ineffective Bill presented by the government, is one of the essential elements to put an end to the disaster that is ongoing for the last 27 years,” Rashida Bi, Bhopal Gas Peedit Mahila Stationery Karmchari Sangh said on the occasion.
Survivors of Bhopal Gas tragedy will be joining Anna Hazare’s fast and dharna in New Delhi and take part in solidarity actions starting from Aug 16 in Bhopal.